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Optimization of blood–myocardial contrast in 3D true FISP cardiac imaging at 1.5 T
Author(s) -
Martirosian Petros,
Greil Gerald F.,
Fenchel Michael,
Kramer Ulrich,
Miller Stefan,
Greiser Andreas,
Claussen Claus D.,
Schick Fritz,
Sieverding Ludger
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
magnetic resonance in medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.696
H-Index - 225
eISSN - 1522-2594
pISSN - 0740-3194
DOI - 10.1002/mrm.21099
Subject(s) - steady state free precession imaging , flip angle , contrast (vision) , precession , nuclear medicine , medicine , sequence (biology) , nuclear magnetic resonance , magnetic resonance imaging , radiology , physics , computer science , chemistry , artificial intelligence , astronomy , biochemistry
Three‐dimensional (3D) steady‐state free precession (SSFP) MRI sequences are often applied to visualize both intra‐ and extracardiac pathologies. In the present study the contrast behavior of 3D true fast imaging with steady precession (True‐FISP) sequences for cardiac imaging was optimized in numerical simulations and compared with measurements obtained in eight healthy volunteers on a 1.5 T whole‐body scanner. Two SS preparation schemes in combination with and without a T 2 preparation were assessed to improve contrast between blood and myocardium using a navigator‐gated and ECG‐triggered 3D True‐FISP sequence. Numerical simulations and experimental studies in volunteers showed that an SS preparation using a constant flip angle (CFA) is preferable to a linear flip angle (LFA) preparation in terms of contrast between blood and myocardium. The optimized 3D True‐FISP sequence provides a reliable, accurate, and time‐efficient means of obtaining a morphological cardiac diagnosis. Magn Reson Med 57:213–219, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.