Effects Of Deep Learning Reconstruction Technique In High-Resolution Non-Contrast Magnetic Resonance Coronary Angiography At A 3-Tesla Machine

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of deep learning reconstruction (DLR) in qualitative and quantitative image quality of noncontrast magnetic resonance coronary angiography (MRCA). Methods: Ten healthy volunteers underwent conventional MRCA (C-MRCA) and high-resolution (HR) MRCA on a 3T magnetic resonance imaging with a voxel size of 1.8 x 1.1 x 1.7 mm(3) and 1.8 x 0.6 x 1.0 mm(3), respectively, for C-MRCA and HR-MRCA. High-resolution magnetic resonance coronary angiography was also reconstructed with the DLR technique (DLR-HR-MRCA). We compared the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and visual evaluation scores for vessel sharpness and traceability of proximal and distal coronary vessels on a 4-point scale among 3 image series. Results: The vascular CNR value on the C-MRCA and the DLR-HR-MRCA was significantly higher than that on the HR-MRCA in the proximal and distal coronary arteries (13.9 +/- 6.4, 11.3 +/- 4.4, and 7.8 +/- 2.6 for C-MRCA, DLR-HR-MRCA, and HR-MRCA, P <.05, respectively). Mean visual evaluation scores for the vessel sharpness and traceability of proximal and distal coronary vessels were significantly higher on the HR-DLR-MRCA than the C-MRCA (P <.05, respectively). Conclusion: Deep learning reconstruction significantly improved the CNR of coronary arteries on HR-MRCA, resulting in both higher visual image quality and better vessel traceability compared with C-MRCA.