Single-breath-hold multiple-slice DENSE MRI.
A method to acquire multiple displacement encoded slices within a single breath hold is presented. Efficiency is improved over conventional DENSE without compromising image quality by readout of multiple slices in the same cardiac cycle, thus utilizing the position-encoded stimulated echo available in the whole heart. The method was evaluated by comparing strain values obtained using the proposed method to strain values obtained by conventional separate breath-hold single-slice DENSE acquisitions. Good agreement (Lagrangian E(2) strain bias = 0.000, 95% limits of agreement +/- 0.04, root-mean-square-difference 0.02 [9.4% of mean end-systolic E(2)]) was found between the methods, indicating that the proposed method can replace a multiple breath-hold acquisition. Eliminating the need for multiple breath holds reduces the risk of changes in breath-hold positions or heart rate, results in higher patient comfort, and facilitates inclusion of DENSE in a clinical routine protocol.
Sigfridsson
Andreas
A
Department of Radiology, Mie University, Tsu, Mie, Japan. andreas.sigfridsson@liu.se
Haraldsson
Henrik
H
Ebbers
Tino
T
Knutsson
Hans
H
Sakuma
Hajime
H
D000465:Algorithms; D054459:Elasticity Imaging Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D006321:Heart / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D015656:Respiratory Mechanics; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity