An Optimized Encoding Scheme for Planning Vessel‐Encoded Pseudocontinuous Arterial Spin Labeling

Purpose Vessel‐encoded pseudocontinuous arterial spin labeling allows the acquisition of vessel‐selective angiograms and vascular territory perfusion maps. The technique generates a periodic variation in inversion efficiency across space that can be manipulated to encode specific combinations of vessels. Currently, the choice of these encodings is limited to scenarios with few vessels and may not optimize the signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR). Here we present an automated, rapid method for calculating a minimal number of SNR optimal encodings for any number and arrangement of vessels. Theory and Methods The proposed optimized encoding scheme (OES) is a Fourier‐based method that finds SNR optimized encodings to best match the ideal encodings for a set of vessels. For nine or fewer vessels, the calculation takes less than 3 s. Results In simulations, the OES method produces encodings for a range of vessel geometries that, on average, have an SNR efficiency 37% greater than that for random encoding. When labeling vessels in the neck in healthy subjects, the OES encodings result in images with higher SNR than other encoding methods. Conclusion The OES results in a minimal number of encodings with a higher SNR efficiency than other encoding methods, regardless of the number or geometry of the vessels. Magn Reson Med 74:1248–1256, 2015. © 2014 The Authors. Magnetic Resonance in Medicine Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Society of Medicine in Resonance.