Balanced left ventricular myocardial SSFP-tagging at 1.5T and 3T

Area of Science:

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• Cardiovascular Imaging
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Steady-state free precession (SSFP)-tagging is a cardiac MRI technique used to assess myocardial motion.
• Optimizing imaging parameters is crucial for accurate functional assessment.
• Field strength (1.5T vs. 3T) can significantly impact MRI performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate and compare the performance of SSFP-tagging at 1.5T and 3T.
• To determine optimal imaging parameters for enhanced tag contrast and persistence.
• To assess the influence of field strength on image quality and artifacts.

Main Methods:

• Acquisition of SSFP-tagging data at 1.5T and 3T with varying flip angles.
• Quantification of tag-tissue contrast, tag fading times, tag persistence, and myocardial signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).
• Semiquantitative image grading by experienced readers to assess image quality and artifacts.

Main Results:

• SSFP-tagging at 3T demonstrated superior tag persistence and myocardial SNR compared to 1.5T.
• Optimal performance was achieved with a flip angle of 20 degrees, as indicated by a tag quality index.
• Diastolic tag visibility improved at 3T, with average tag persistence of 789 ms versus 523 ms at 1.5T.

Conclusions:

• 3T SSFP-tagging offers significant advantages over 1.5T, including enhanced tag persistence and myocardial SNR.
• A flip angle of 20 degrees is recommended for optimal SSFP-tagging performance.
• 3T SSFP-tagging holds promise for improved depiction of tagged myocardial function throughout the cardiac cycle.