Balanced SSFP Spin-Labeled Angiography Using Sparse Data: Optimization and Application to Supraaortic Vessels

Ioannis Koktzoglou¹, Philip Hodnett, ^1,2, Erik Offerman¹, Robert Edelman¹

Arterial spin-labeled MRA using a balanced steady-state free precession is limited by flow artifacts in the setting of luminal narrowing. In a stenotic flow phantom, we show that these artifacts can be minimized with the use of abbreviated echo trains made possible with the use of parallel imaging acceleration and partial Fourier acquisition, and subsequently apply the technique in volunteers and patients.