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Profile order and time‐dependent artifacts in contrast‐enhanced coronary MR angiography at 3T: Origin and prevention
Author(s) -
Kotys Melanie S.,
Herzka Daniel A.,
Vonken EvertJan,
Ohayon Jacques,
Heroux Julie,
Gharib Ahmed M.,
Stuber Matthias,
Pettigrew Roderic I.
Publication year - 2009
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.21997
Subject(s) - contrast (vision) , artifact (error) , weighting , signal (programming language) , magnetic resonance imaging , angiography , coronary angiography , magnetic resonance angiography , computer science , nuclear magnetic resonance , nuclear medicine , biomedical engineering , medicine , radiology , physics , artificial intelligence , cardiology , myocardial infarction , programming language
To enhance the clinical value of coronary magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), high‐relaxivity contrast agents have recently been used at 3T. Here we examine a uniform bilateral shadowing artifact observed along the coronary arteries in MRA images collected using such a contrast agent. Simulations were performed to characterize this artifact, including its origin, to determine how best to mitigate this effect, and to optimize a data acquisition/injection scheme. An intraluminal contrast agent concentration model was used to simulate various acquisition strategies with two profile orders for a slow‐infusion of a high‐relaxivity contrast agent. Filtering effects from temporally variable weighting in k ‐space are prominent when a centric, radial (CR) profile order is applied during contrast infusion, resulting in decreased signal enhancement and underestimation of vessel width, while both pre‐ and postinfusion steady‐state acquisitions result in overestimation of the vessel width. Acquisition during the brief postinfusion steady‐state produces the greatest signal enhancement and minimizes k ‐space filtering artifacts. Magn Reson Med, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.