High resolution contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography of carotid arteries using an array coil on a cardiovascular scanner

3D contrast-enhanced MR angiography (CE-MRA) of the carotid arteries is technically challenging despite its increasing clinical use. Spatial resolution remains to be limited by the contrast agent bolus concentration's transient nature, rapid venous enhancement, and voxel size of the acquisition matrix. in order for carotid CE-MRA to be considered an adequate alternative or replacement to X-ray angiography, it is our perspective that isotropic high resolution carotid CE-MRA is crucial which can reveal details of pathology in reformat and maximum-intensity-projection post processing. Also in carotid CE-MRA an accurate timing for image acquisition is essential. This has been addressed with real-time fluoroscopic triggering, smart-prep time-resolved acquisition, and test bolus techniques. The purpose of this study is to use smart-prep CE-MRA technique with a combined head-neck-cervical spine neurovascular array coil on a dedicated 1.5 T cardiovascular scanner, to acquire isotropic high resolution CE-MRA from the aortic arch through circle of Willis within a single bolus contrast acquisition in a routine clinical setting.