Multi-shot EPI for improvement of myocardial tag contrast: comparison with segmented SPGR.
To assess the potential value of multi-shot EPI relative to segmented k-space SPGR for myocardial tagging, we measured tag contrast for both sequences in a phantom and human study and compared it with theoretical predictions. In the human heart, EPI tag contrast was three times that of SPGR at the end of systole. Tag duration was lengthened with EPI to at least 600 ms. In addition, the entire heart was examined in a total of 32 heartbeats with EPI versus 152 heartbeats with SPGR.
Tang
C
C
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA.
McVeigh
E R
ER
Zerhouni
E A
EA
D000465:Algorithms; D017352:Echo-Planar Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005583:Fourier Analysis; D006321:Heart / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D008280:Magnetics; D008961:Models, Structural; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D011846:Radio Waves; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D013599:Systole