High Resolution 3D Spiral Coronary Vessel Wall Imaging with >99% Respiratory Efficiency Using Beat to Beat Respiratory Motion Correction: Quantitative Comparison with Navigator Gated 2D Spiral and Turbo Spin Echo Imaging

Andrew David Scott^1,2, Jennifer Keegan, ^1,2, David N. Firmin, ^1,2

High resolution 3D coronary artery wall imaging potentially enables the assessment of the full 3D extent of a plaque, but is time consuming when used with navigator gating. We compare 3D spiral right coronary artery wall imaging with a highly efficient beat-to-beat respiratory-motion-correction technique using localized tracking of the fat around the artery (99.6% respiratory efficiency) with navigator gated (39% efficient) 2D spiral and 2D turbo spin echo techniques. The techniques were compared quantitatively using vessel wall thickness. The improved respiratory efficiency of the beat-to-beat respiratory-motion-correction technique facilitates high resolution 3D coronary wall imaging within a reasonable duration.