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MR Angiography of the Thoracic Aorta with an Electrocardiographically Triggered Breath-Hold Contrast-enhanced Sequence¹

¹ From the Department of Radiology, William Beaumont Hospital, 3601 W 13 Mile Rd, Royal Oak, MI 48073 (P.J.A., K.G.B., A.N.S.); the Department of Radiology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio (R.D.W.); and Siemens Medical Systems, Iselin, NJ (O.P.S.). Presented as a scientific exhibit at the 1997 RSNA scientific assembly. Received February 16, 1999; revision requested April 5; final revision received June 10; accepted June 14. Address reprint requests to K.G.B.

An electrocardiographically (ECG) triggered breath-hold contrast material–enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) angiography sequence has been developed for imaging the thoracic aorta. A three-dimensional (3D) gradient-echo sequence is used with a contrast material bolus. Forty-nine patients with various aortic abnormalities and five healthy volunteers underwent imaging with the sequence. All studies were performed in a single breath hold. ECG-triggered breath-hold contrast-enhanced MR angiography was tolerated in 48 of the 49 patients. The images demonstrated no respiratory motion artifacts and diminished pulsation artifacts. The cardiac chambers, aortic root, ascending and descending aorta, aortic arch, proximal arch vessels, and proximal coronary arteries were clearly demonstrated and not obscured by ghost artifacts. The 3D data set allowed excellent multiplanar reformation, permitting orthogonal or oblique views of the vascular anatomy. A variety of congenital and acquired abnormalities were clearly identified. When this sequence is used, it is important to evaluate both the maximum-intensity projection and source images. Delayed imaging should be performed to detect late filling. In conjunction with cine MR and T1-weighted spin-echo imaging, ECG-triggered breath-hold contrast-enhanced MR angiography should be considered the technique of choice for imaging the thoracic aorta.

Index Terms: Aorta, MR, 56.12142, 94.12942 • Magnetic resonance (MR), pulse sequences • Magnetic resonance (MR), vascular studies, 56.12142, 94.12942

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