PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy of two-dimensional breath-hold coronary magnetic resonance angiography (coronary MRA) in normal rolunteers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During a four-month period, 11 volunteers underwent MRA of the major coronary branches using a 2-D multiphase breath-hold spiral fast-gradient echo sequence. The proximal diameter of each visualized coronary artery was measured, and visibility and image quality were also determined. RESULTS: Adequate visualization was achieved in 82-100% of proximal coronary arterial branches and in 36-55% of the middle, distal branches. In general, the diameter of the proximal coronary artery correlated closely with that measured from conventional coronary angiography and using previous coronary MRA data. However, visibility and image quality in the left circumflex coronary artery were limited. CONCLUSION: In the majority of subjects, 2-D coronary MRA provides adequate visualization of the proximal segments of the major coronary arterial branches.