Cardiac MRI in mice at 9.4 Tesla with a transmit-receive surface coil and a cardiac-tailored intensity-correction algorithm.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the use of a transmit-receive surface (TRS) coil and a cardiac-tailored intensity-correction algorithm for cardiac MRI in mice at 9.4 Tesla (9.4T).


METHODS
Fast low-angle shot (FLASH) cines, with and without delays alternating with nutations for tailored excitation (DANTE) tagging, were acquired in 13 mice. An intensity-correction algorithm was developed to compensate for the sensitivity profile of the surface coil, and was tailored to account for the unique distribution of noise and flow artifacts in cardiac MR images.


RESULTS
Image quality was extremely high and allowed fine structures such as trabeculations, valve cusps, and coronary arteries to be clearly visualized. The tag lines created with the surface coil were also sharp and clearly visible. Application of the intensity-correction algorithm improved signal intensity, tissue contrast, and image quality even further. Importantly, the cardiac-tailored properties of the correction algorithm prevented noise and flow artifacts from being significantly amplified.


CONCLUSIONS
The feasibility and value of cardiac MRI in mice with a TRS coil has been demonstrated. In addition, a cardiac-tailored intensity-correction algorithm has been developed and shown to improve image quality even further. The use of these techniques could produce significant potential benefits over a broad range of scanners, coil configurations, and field strengths.
Sosnovik
David E
DE
Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129, USA. sosnovik@nmr.mgh.harvard.edu
Dai
Guangping
G
Nahrendorf
Matthias
M
Rosen
Bruce R
BR
Seethamraju
Ravi
R
D000362:Agar / Q000737:chemistry; D000465:Algorithms; D000818:Animals; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004867:Equipment Design; D006321:Heart / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D019028:Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Cine / Q000379:methods; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D015233:Models, Statistical; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology*; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D000362:Agar