Blood pool agent CE-MRA: Improved arterial visualization of the aortoiliac vasculature in the steady-state using first-pass data

Abstract

Blood pool agent (BPA) contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (CE-MRA) images have been acquired during the first-pass of the contrast agent and in the steady-state. Arterial visualization, which is hampered in the steady-state owing to simultaneous enhancement of arteries and veins, can be improved if the central arterial axis (CAA) is known. A method is presented that utilizes the first-pass data to find the CAA in the steady-state data with minimum user interaction. The accuracy of the resulting CAA is compared to tracings of two observers in three datasets. It was found that the average error of the method is 0.73 mm in the first-pass data and 1.54 mm in the steady-state data.