Gregory J. Wilson1,2, George R. Oliveira2, Jeffrey H. Maki2,3
1MR Clinical Science, Philips Healthcare, Cleveland, OH, USA; 2Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; 3Radiology, Puget Sound VAHCS, Seattle, WA, USA
A flow-independent renal MRA sequence was implemented and evaluated. The sequence uses ECG-triggering and respiratory navigator gating to minimize motion artifacts and acquire during slow flow (diastole). The 3D acquisition uses spectral fat saturation (SPIR), T2-Prep, and Bal-TFE readout with radial low-high profile order. Flow-independence is demonstrated by uniform blood signal intensity in coronal acquisitions and minimal effect of in-flow saturation slabs. Three healthy volunteers were imaged with excellent image quality. The flow-independent sequence will be used in patients with suspected renal artery stenosis to better depict morphology distal to stenoses.