Mixed echo train acquisition displacement encoding with stimulated echoes: An optimized DENSE method for in vivo functional imaging of the human heart

M ixed e cho t rain a cquisition d isplacement en coding with s timulated e choes (meta‐DENSE) is a phase‐based displacement mapping technique suitable for imaging myocardial function. This method has been optimized for use with patients who have a history of myocardial infarction. The total scan time is 12–14 heartbeats for an in‐plane resolution of 2.8 × 2.8 mm 2 . Myocardial strain is mapped at this resolution with an accuracy of 2% strain in vivo. Compared to standard st imulated e cho (STE) methods, both data acquisition speed and resolution are improved with inversion‐recovery FID suppression and the meta‐DENSE readout scheme. Data processing requires minimal user intervention and provides a rapid quantitative feedback on the MRI scanner for evaluating cardiac function. Magn Reson Med 46:523–534, 2001. Published 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.