Abstract
Purpose: To compare two coronary vein imaging techniques
using whole-heart balanced steady-state free precession
(SSFP) and a targeted double-oblique spoiled gradient-
echo (GRE) sequences in combination with
magnetization transfer (MT) preparation sequence for tissue
contrast improvement.
Materials and Methods: Nine healthy subjects were imaged
with the proposed technique. The results are compared
with optimized targeted MT prepared GRE acquisitions.
Both quantitative and qualitative analyses were
performed to evaluate each imaging method.
Results: Whole-heart images were successfully acquired
with no visible image artifact in the vicinity of the coronary
veins. The anatomical features and visual grading of both
techniques were comparable. However, the targeted small
slab acquisition of the left ventricular lateral wall was superior
to whole-heart acquisition for visualization of relevant
information for cardiac resynchronization therapy
(CRT) lead implantation.
Conclusion: We demonstrated the feasibility of wholeheart
coronary vein MRI using a 3D MT-SSFP imaging sequence.
A targeted acquisition along the lateral left ventricular
wall is preferred for visualization of branches
commonly used in CRT lead implantation.
Stoeck, C T