Improved artery-vein separation with acceleration-dependent preparation for non-contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography.

Purpose: To compare the use of acceleration-dependent and velocity-dependent flow-preparation for non-contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (NCE-MRA), investigating both image quality and the ability to discriminate between arteries and veins. We develop an acceleration-dependent NCE-MRA method known as acceleration dependent vascular anatomy for non-contrast-enhanced MRA (ADVANCE-MRA).

Methods: Acceleration-dependent and velocity-dependent images were acquired using a constant and pulsatile flow-phantom and from the lower legs of six healthy volunteers and one patient with peripheral vascular disease.

Initial clinical evaluation of a non-contrast-enhanced MR angiography method in the distal lower extremities.

Purpose: To report the initial experience and diagnostic performance applying a novel flow-dependent non-contrast-enhanced MR angiography (NCE-MRA) method, in patients with suspected peripheral vascular disease, in comparison with established contrast-enhanced MRA (CE-MRA).

Methods: The lower legs of 34 patients were imaged at 1.5 T with both NCE-MRA and CE-MRA.