Magnetization‐prepared MR angiography with fat suppression and venous saturation

Magnetization‐prepared magnetic resonance (MR) angiography (MPMRA) is an inflow‐based two‐dimensional (2D) imaging sequence in which a preparation phase precedes rapid image acquisition. For maximal blood/tissue contrast, an inversion‐recovery preparation nulls signal from static tissue. If needed, a second inversion suppresses signal from fat. Fully magnetized blood flows in after the inversion pulse (s), providing high signal intensity. The centric phase‐encoding order, which ensures that the initial contrast is reflected in the image set, requires the use of a modified venous saturation technique. The sequence is described and its performance assessed with regard to (a) depiction of in‐plane flow, (b) fat suppression, and (c) venous saturation. Phantom and volunteer studies showed good performance in all three areas. MPMRA images, acquired in just 2–4 seconds per image, had a blood/tissue contrast‐to‐noise ratio nearly twice that of standard 2D time‐of‐flight MR angiograms, acquired in 5–7 seconds. The technique is promising for restless patients and in anatomic areas plagued by motion degradation.