Free-breathing 3D steady-state free precession coronary MR angiography with radial k-space sampling:: Comparison with cartesian k-space sampling and cartesian gradient-echo coronary MR angiography -: Pilot study

The authors compared radial steady-state free precession (SSFP) coronary magnetic resonance (MR) angiography, cartesian k-space. sampling SSFP coronary MR angiography, and gradient echo coronary MR angiography in 16 healthy adults and four pilot study patients. Standard gradient-echo MR imaging with a T2 preparatory pulse and cartesian k-space sampling was the reference technique. Image quality was compared by using subjective motion artifact level and, objective contrast-to-noise ratio and vessel sharpness. Radial SSFP, compared with cartesian SSFP and gradient-echo MR angiography, resulted in reduced motion artifacts and superior vesses sharpness. ratio and vessel sharpness. Cartesian SSFP resulted in increased motion artifacts (P < .05). Contrast-to-noise ratio with radial SSFP and similar to that with the reference technique. Radial SSFP coronary MR angiography appears preferable because of improved definition of vessel borders. (C) RSNA, 2004.