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. 2017 May 6;6(3):86–99. doi: 10.5527/wjn.v6.i3.86

Table 9.

Alternative non-contrast enhanced imaging techniques

Name of the technique Clinical indications Notes
TOF MR angiography Cerebral aneurysm No contrast agent is required
Stroke
Atherosclerotic carotid disease
Arteriovenous malformation
Peripheral artery disease (less frequently)
ECG-gated fast spin echo MR angiography Peripheral artery disease No contrast agent is required.
Thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysm Higher image quality compared to TOF MR angiography in peripheral arterial imaging
SSFP MR imaging Coronary artery disease No contrast agent is required
Myocardial viability and function
Pericardial diseases
Renal artery stenosis
Congenital heart diseases
Arterial spin labeling with/without SSFP Native and transplanted renal renal artery stenosis No contrast agent is required.
Renal perfusion Evaluation of organ perfusion
Cerebral blood flow When combined with SSFP, it can be used as an angiographic imaging
Characterization of masses
Phase contrast MR imaging Imaging of major thoroco-abdominal vascular structures No contrast agent is required.
Congenital heart disease Quantification of blood flow and velocity
Renal artery stenosis
Carbon-dioxide angiography Peripheral artery disease (mostly infra-diaphragmatic) No contrast agent is required.
Non-allergenic, non-nephrotoxic, inexpensive.
Neurotoxic, risk of air trapping and distal ischemia

TOF: Time-of-flight; MR: Magnetic resonance; ECG: Electrocardiography; SSFP: Steady-state free precession.