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Table 1 Components of the CMR Examination of Vasculitis

From: CMR in inflammatory vasculitis

Technique

Comments

PRECONTRAST

Dark blood stacks typically in axial, coronal and sagittal planes e.g. HASTE

Provides vessel wall imaging as well as complementary information to CE-MRA regarding lumen

Noncontrast bright blood stack(s) e.g. SSFP

 

CONTRAST

 

3D contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography e.g. spoiled gradient echo

Appropriate vasculature should be covered depending on clinical questions and known or suspected diagnosis (see Table 2)

POSTCONTRAST

 

T1-weighted vessel wall imaging e.g. VIBE or FAME

Additional vessel wall imaging, particularly useful to delineate thickening and thrombus

CARDIAC ACQUISITIONS

 

Multiplane cine imaging e.g. SSFP Aortic valve velocity-encoded cine Myocardial imaging: T2 precontrast, T1W early post contrast, late post-gadolinium imaging

May be appropriate when aortic root disease involves the aortic valve or when myocardial inflammation is suspected, particularly in small-vessel vasculitides