1. A method for producing an image with NMR data acquired from a region of interest in a patient placed in an MRI system, the steps comprising: a) injecting a contrast agent into the patient; b) producing a monitor signal by repeatedly acquiring NMR data from a monitor region in the patient using a monitor pulse sequence in the MRI system; c) detecting the flow of contrast agent into the region of interest by monitoring the value of the monitor signal; d) acquiring NMR image data from the region of interest using a series of image pulse sequences in the MRI system when the flow of contrast agent into the region of interest is detected; and e) reconstructing an image using the acquired NMR image data.