Optimization of fast cardiac imaging using an echo-train readout.
Fast gradient-echo sequences that use an echo-train readout are becoming more widely used, particularly for imaging the heart. An important issue for these sequences involves determining the optimal duration for the echo-train readout. In normal volunteer scans and theoretically the echo-train readout duration was varied from 2.4 to 32.8 msec. Myocardial signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), myocardium-tag signal difference-to-noise ratio (SDNR), flow artifact-to-noise ratio (FNR), and geometric distortion were measured and/or calculated. Our results showed that to obtain high SNR, SDNR, and data acquisition efficiency while minimizing FNR and geometric distortion, the readout duration should be 10-15 msec at 1.5 T.
Epstein
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FH
Laboratory of Cardiac Energetics, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-1061, USA.
Arai
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AE
D017352:Echo-Planar Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D006321:Heart / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D013997:Time Factors