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Contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance angiography of the iliac arteries: Optimization by injection simulation
Author(s) -
Schmidt M.A.,
Britten A.J.,
Tomlinson M.A.,
Vig S.,
Powell S.,
Cleminson S.,
Kerr E.,
Blundell J.,
Heron C.W.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
magnetic resonance in medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.696
H-Index - 225
eISSN - 1522-2594
pISSN - 0740-3194
DOI - 10.1002/mrm.1199
Subject(s) - contrast (vision) , magnetic resonance angiography , magnetic resonance imaging , k space , iliac artery , angiography , distortion (music) , sensitivity (control systems) , impulse response , nuclear magnetic resonance , materials science , computer science , mathematics , radiology , physics , medicine , mathematical analysis , artificial intelligence , bandwidth (computing) , amplifier , electronic engineering , engineering , computer network
Protocols for contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (CE‐MRA) of the iliac arteries were optimized by computer simulations based on an impulse response function (IRF) of contrast agent (CA) concentration as a function of time obtained for 20 patients. Protocols with sequential, centric, and elliptical k ‐space coverage, different repetition rates (5 and 10 ms), and CA doses (0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 mmol/kg b.w.) were compared in terms of signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR), distortion of vessel profiles, and sensitivity to timing errors. IRF‐based simulations successfully characterized CA recirculation. Slow‐rate CA infusions were found to achieve relatively high enhancement. In terms of SNR, there is no advantage in increasing the repetition rate. Distortion of vessel profiles is more likely in elliptic and centric k ‐space coverage. Protocols based on sequential k ‐space coverage and relatively long CA infusions proved to be particularly suited to large‐FOV iliac examinations as they are relatively insensitive to timing errors. Magn Reson Med 46:365–373, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.