INTERLEAVED ECHO-PLANAR PHASE-CONTRAST ANGIOGRAPHY

Technical aspects of a new rapid 2D multiplanar phase contrast angiographic sequence are presented. The sequence uses multiple excitation echo planar imaging concepts. The advantage of using multiple excitations is that the resolution can be increased over that obtainable with single shot echo planar imaging. By combining phase contrast measurements with echo planar imaging, the measurement time is considerably reduced compared with conventional phase contrast magnetic resonance angiography. The present implementation still requires some improvements before being suitable for clinical applications. Future embodiments could, however, permit angiograms of vessels subject to respiratory motion.