Method and system for synchronizing magnetic resonance image acquisition to the arrival of a signal-enhancing contrast agent

A method of synchronizing initiation of a magnetic resonance image (MRI) acquisition to the arrival of a contrast agent in a structure of interest, such as an artery, includes repeatedly performing a first MRI scan until the first MRI scan indicates that the contrast agent has arrived. The first MRI scan acquires a three-dimensional MRI data set from the structure of interest. Preferably, the first MRI scan is a partial MRI scan that produces a low resolution image. Once the first MRI scan indicates that the contrast agent has arrived in the structure of interest, a second MRI scan is performed that acquires a second three-dimensional MRI data set from the structure of interest. The second MRI scan is preferably a full MRI scan that produces a full fidelity image. The manner of data acquisition is advantageously the same for both the first MRI scan and the second MRI scan.