Coronary artery imaging at 0.5 T using segmented 3D echo planar imaging.

The application of segmented 3D gradient echo EPI at 0.5 T for coronary artery imaging is described. Experiments were performed using fat suppression, ECG triggering, and a patient-controlled breath-holding scheme. This approach provides a sufficient signal-to-noise ratio for thin contiguous slices in conjunction with a phased array cardiac receive coil. Wide 3D volumes, covering the proximal branches of the coronary tree, were measured with a high spatial resolution. Such data sets can be used for subsequent vessel segmentation. Furthermore, data out of narrow 3D volumes were obtained containing fewer slices angulated in the direction of a selected coronary artery. This provides a good visualization of the selected vessel over several centimeters without the need for segmentation.