Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with controlling a
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus to perform a balanced steady
state free precession (bSSFP) technique that includes magnetization
preparation with differentiated velocity encoding and spoiling residual
transverse magnetization are described. The example systems, methods, and
other embodiments are also associated with acquiring a dark blood image
in response to the bSSFP technique. A dark blood image is one in which
NMR signal acquired from an object subjected to the bSSFP technique and
magnetization preparation includes NMR signal from flowing spins and NMR
signal from non-flowing spins in a desired ratio.