Extended coverage first-pass perfusion imaging using slice-interleaved TSENSE

Parallel imaging applied to first-pass, contrast-enhanced cardiac MR can yield greater spatial coverage for a fixed temporal resolution. The method combines rate R=2 acceleration using TSENSE with shot-to-shot interleaving of two slices. The square root R SNR loss is largely compensated for by a longer effective repetition time (TR) and increased flip angle associated with slice interleaving. In this manner, increased spatial coverage is achieved while comparable or better image quality is maintained. Single-heartbeat temporal resolution was accomplished with spatial coverage of eight slices at heart rates up to 71 bpm, six slices up to 95 bpm, and four slices up to 143 bpm. Experiments in normal subjects (N=6) were performed to assess signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) values.