MR angiography of the abdominal artery by IR-prepared, segmented TrueFISP at 3T without contrast agents

MR angiography of the abdominal artery has been often performed using contrast agents. Recent attention has focused on non-contrast MR techniques for evaluating the abdominal artery and cardio vascular, most notably Steady-State Free Precession (SSFP; also termed balanced FFE, true-FISP, and FIESTA). In this study an IR-prepared, segmented TrueFISP sequence has been introduced at 3T. Four volunteers (26 to 40 years old) were examined. Imaging was performed with the sequence of IR-prepared, segmented TrueFISP. By the IR-preparation, whole signals were suppressed. For the kidney, signals from the cortex region were suppressed. Only signals from fresh blood flow in the peripheral renal artery were enhanced. This has been achieved without the use of contrast agents.