The impact of navigator timing parameters and navigator spatial resolution on 3D coronary magnetic resonance angiography

Abstract

The impact of navigator spatial resolution and navigator evaluation time on image quality in free-breathing navigator-gated 3D coronary magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), including real-time motion correction, was investigated in a moving phantom. Objective image quality parameters signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and vessel sharpness were compared. It was found that for improved image quality a short navigator evaluation time is of crucial importance. Navigator spatial resolution showed minimal influence on image quality. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.