Steady-state magnetic resonance angiography of the thoracic vasculature in congenital heart disease using a blood pool contrast agent: evaluation of two different techniques

Background Although contrast-enhanced first-pass MRA (FP-MRA) is frequently used to visualize the vasculature, it may not be suitable for the assessment of congenital heart disease. Blood-pool contrast agents remain within the intravascular space for several hours, allowing vessels to be imaged without relying on accurate contrast bolus timing. The purpose of this study is to compare steadystate magnetic resonance angiography (SS-MRA) following injection of a blood-pool contras agent to first-pass MR angiography (FP-MRA) in adults with congenital heart disease.