Free-breathing simultaneous , , and quantification in the myocardium

To implement a free-breathing sequence for simultaneous quantification of $$ , $$ , and $$ for comprehensive tissue characterization of the myocardium in a single scan using a multi-gradient-echo readout with saturation and $$ preparation pulses.

In the proposed Saturation And $$ -prepared Relaxometry with Navigator-gating (SATURN) technique, a series of multi-gradient-echo (GRE) images with different magnetization preparations was acquired during free breathing. A total of 35 images were acquired in 26.5 ± 14.9 seconds using multiple saturation times and $$ preparation durations and with imaging at 5 echo times. Bloch simulations and phantom experiments were used to validate a 5-parameter fit model for accurate relaxometry. Free-breathing simultaneous $$ , $$ , and $$ measurements were performed in 10 healthy volunteers and 2 patients using SATURN at 3T and quantitatively compared to conventional single-parameter methods such as SASHA for $$ , $$ -prepared bSSFP, and multi-GRE for $$ .

Simulations confirmed accurate fitting with the 5-parameter model. Phantom measurements showed good agreement with the reference methods in the relevant range for in vivo measurements. Compared to single-parameter methods comparable accuracy was achieved. SATURN produced in vivo parameter maps that were visually comparable to single-parameter methods. No significant difference between $$ , $$ , and $$ times acquired with SATURN and single-parameter methods was shown in quantitative measurements (SATURN $$ , $$ , $$ ; conventional methods: $$ , $$ , $$ ; $$ ) CONCLUSION: SATURN enables simultaneous quantification of $$ , $$ , and $$ in the myocardium for comprehensive tissue characterization with co-registered maps, in a single scan with good agreement to single-parameter methods.