[Optimal Imaging Method for Late Gadolinium-enhanced Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance in Arrhythmic Cases]

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Medical Imaging Artifact Reduction
• Cardiac Electrophysiology

Background:

• Arrhythmia can cause ghosting artifacts in late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging.
• These artifacts complicate the assessment of myocardial fibrosis, particularly in patients with irregular heart rhythms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine a procedure for reducing arrhythmia-related ghosting artifacts in LGE CMR.
• To compare the efficacy of different imaging sequences in the presence of arrhythmias.

Main Methods:

• Phantoms were used to examine the causes of ghosting artifacts.
• Inversion recovery gradient echo and phase-sensitive inversion recovery (PSIR) sequences were compared under normal sinus rhythm and premature ventricular contraction (PVC) conditions.

Main Results:

• Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) induced ghosting artifacts due to irregular trigger intervals.
• A phase-corrected real image in PSIR demonstrated accurate positive contrast for mild fibrosis with minimal ghosting.
• The 2R-R method also reduced ghost artifacts and ensured contrast consistency.

Conclusions:

• PSIR imaging offers an advantage for LGE CMR in patients experiencing arrhythmias.
• PSIR minimizes ghosting artifacts, improving the diagnostic accuracy for myocardial fibrosis.
• The 2R-R method provides an alternative for artifact reduction when PSIR is unavailable.