Abbas Nasiraei Moghaddam1,2, Tariq Balawi1, Reza Habibi1, Gerhard Laub3, J. Paul Finn1
1Radiology, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA; 2Bioengineering, Caltech, Pasadena, CA, USA; 3Siemens Medical Solution, USA
The quality of MR angiography (MRA) images depends on synchronizing data acquisition with arrival of the contrast bolus in the vessels of interest. In this study we analytically verify that the circulatory system can be modeled as a linear time-invariant system that responds linearly to the infusion as its input. We further show how such a system may be characterized based on physiological parameters. This approach was experimentally quantified for MRA by implementing a software tool. The implemented algorithm as well as the signal enhancement in the high-resolution MRA, predicts stable 85% peak periods for carotid and venous signals.