title: A magnetization-driven gradient echo pulse sequence for the study of myocardial perfusion.
abstract: A T1-weighted imaging pulse sequence for contrast-based studies of myocardial perfusion is presented and evaluated in phantoms and in vivo. The sequence is similar to spoiled gradient-recalled echo sequences except that nonselective preparatory RF pulses drive magnetization to steady state prior to image acquisition. Steady state is thus obtained in both tissue and blood resulting in a stable, homogeneous, and dark pre-contrast baseline. Tip angles and timings are chosen so that pixel intensity approximates a linear relation to 1/T1. The dynamic range of signal response to contrast agent concentration is greater than that of an inversion-recovery fast low angle shot sequence. The sequence proposed should be useful for myocardial perfusion studies.
mesh_terms: D001769:Blood; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003287:Contrast Media; D003326:Coronary Circulation; D005583:Fourier Analysis; D005682:Gadolinium; D006321:Heart / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006339:Heart Rate; D006571:Heterocyclic Compounds; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008280:Magnetics; D008961:Models, Structural; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D011846:Radio Waves; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D006571:Heterocyclic Compounds; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; C062402:gadoteridol; D005682:Gadolinium