MRA data is acquired from a large region of interest by translating the patient through the bore of the MRI system as a three-dimensional MRA data set are acquired. The pulse sequence is altered during the scan to change the lateral FOV.sub.L of the acquired image to better match the size of the region of interest along its length. Patient table movement is controlled to track a bolus of contrast agent as it passes through the region of interest. A seamless image of the entire region of interest is reconstructed after the acquired data is resampled in regions where the lateral FOV.sub.L is altered.