Time-Resolved MR Angiography of the Thorax

Time-resolved magnetic resonance angiography (TR-MRA) has received considerable attention recently owing to its ability to provide a dynamic complement to otherwise “static” high-resolution 3-D contrast-enhanced MRA for a variety of clinical indications. Steady technologic advances, including ultrafast pulse sequences, phased multiarray surface coils, parallel data acquisition techniques, and the widespread availability of high-field magnetic resonance systems, have enhanced the clinical usefulness of TR-MRA. This article considers the current role of TR-MRA in thoracic imaging, illustrating many of its clinical applications, and potential future of this recent approach to noninvasive dynamic vascular evaluation.