Automated detection of bolus arrival and initiation of data acquisition in fast, three-dimensional, gadolinium-enhanced MR angiography.

Automatic triggering of magnetic resonance (MR) angiography with detection of a contrast material bolus was evaluated. Signal intensity changes with time were tracked in a prescribed tracking or monitoring volume by a parallel signal processing unit that automatically started data acquisition once user-defined thresholds were exceeded. This technique, referred to as MR Smartprep, was reliable and avoided the inconsistencies of manual timing.