A magnetization-driven gradient echo pulse sequence for the study of myocardial perfusion

A T1-weighted imaging pulse sequence for contrast-based studies of myocardial perfusion is presented and evaluated in phantoms and in vivo. The sequence is similar to spoiled gradient-recalled echo sequences except that nonselective preparatory RF pulses drive magnetization to steady state prior to image acquisition. Steady state is thus obtained in both tissue and blood resulting in a stable, homogeneous, and dark pre-contrast baseline. Tip angles and timings are chosen so that pixel intensity approximates a linear relation to 1/T1. The dynamic range of signal response to contrast agent concentration is greater than that of an inversion-recovery fast low angle shot sequence. The sequence proposed should be useful for myocardial perfusion studies.