High Resolution 3D Coronary Vessel Wall Imaging with Near 100% Respiratory Efficiency using Epicardial Fat Tracking: Reproducibility & Comparison with Standard Methods

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

Coronary wall measurements must be reproducible for longitudinal studies. Navigator-gated 2D TSE and spiral techniques are commonly used, although respiratory efficiency is low and variable. Beat-to-beat respiratory motion correction (B2B-RMC) can correct for tidal respiratory motion with ~100% respiratory efficiency, allowing 3D vessel coverage in a reasonable duration. We compared vessel wall thicknesses using B2B-RMC 3D spiral with navigator-gated 2D TSE and 2D spiral imaging and assessed intra-observer, inter-observer and inter-study reproducibility. Reproducibility was excellent with B2B-RMC and good with navigator-gated techniques. B2B-RMC enables reproducible 3D coronary wall assessment within reasonable durations which will permit improved assessment of atherosclerotic disease.