This study systematically evaluated the impact of contrast agent (CA) doses both quantitatively and regarding image quality on time-resolved contrast enhanced MR-angiography (4D-MRA). The intra-individual study-design under highly standardized conditions was realized using an animal model. 5 anesthetized Göttingen minipigs received thoracic-abdominal 4D-MRA at 1.5T at five CA doses from 0.02-0.10 mmol/kgBW. We observed that the further the CA traveled along the circulation, the more a dose reduction resulted in weaker peak signal enhancement and low image quality. We conclude that CA dose reduction has varying effects on image quality in 4D-MRA with respect to vessel types and sizes.
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