Complementary radial tagging for improved myocardial tagging contrast.

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Medical Imaging Techniques

Background:

• Myocardial tagging is crucial for assessing cardiac function.
• Maintaining tag contrast throughout the cardiac cycle is a challenge in traditional methods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate complementary radial tagging (CRT) for enhanced myocardial tagging contrast.
• CRT aims to preserve radial tag contrast throughout the entire cardiac cycle.

Main Methods:

• CRT acquires two image sets with phase-shifted tag patterns.
• A ramped imaging flip angle and image subtraction improve tag contrast.
• A small table shift optimizes radial tag pattern uniformity, validated with 500 patient cases.

Main Results:

• Simulations, phantom experiments, and in vivo images show improved tag contrast with CRT versus standard radial tagging (RT).
• CRT enabled acquisition of acceptable images in over 98% of clinical exams.

Conclusions:

• The CRT technique significantly improves radial tag contrast.
• CRT is expected to yield high-quality tag patterns in nearly all patients, enhancing diagnostic utility.