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