In an imaging method, periodic maintenance radio frequency pulses (α, −α) are applied to maintain a steady state magnetic resonance excitation in an imaging region. Readout (66) of imaging data from the imaging region is performed during selected intervals between maintenance radio frequency pulses. A spatially selective blood signal suppression sequence (62, 62′) is performed during selected other intervals between maintenance radio frequency pulses. The blood signal suppression sequence suppresses a blood signal in a suppression region different from the imaging region. The blood signal suppression sequence has substantially no zero the moment applied magnetic field gradient.