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Single-shot versus interleaved echo-planar MR imaging: application to visualization of cardiac valve leaflets
C P Davis1, G C McKinnon, J F Debatin
1Department of Medical Radiology, University Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland.
Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging : JMRI
|January 1, 1995
Summary
Ultrafast magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, specifically interleaved EPI, offers real-time cardiac valve visualization. This technique provides adequate mitral valve visibility, overcoming limitations of standard MR imaging.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Imaging
- Medical Physics
- Radiology
Background:
- Standard magnetic resonance (MR) imaging has limitations in visualizing cardiac valves due to prolonged acquisition times.
- Echo-planar imaging (EPI) offers high temporal resolution, comparable to echocardiography, making it suitable for dynamic cardiac imaging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility of real-time cardiac valve motion imaging using ultrafast MR techniques.
- To compare the performance of standard single-shot gradient-echo EPI (GEPI) and a novel multiple-shot EPI with interleaved k-space acquisition (IGEPI) sequence.
Main Methods:
- Eight healthy volunteers and three patients with mitral valve disease were studied using a 1.5-T imager.
- Two EPI sequences (GEPI and IGEPI) were assessed, acquiring fat-suppressed images with 3.7 x 3.7 mm in-plane resolution throughout the cardiac cycle.
- Half-k-space acquisition was employed to enhance imaging speed.
Main Results:
- Interleaved EPI (IGEPI) demonstrated superior morphologic evaluation compared to GEPI, attributed to better intracavitary signal homogeneity (P < .01).
- Mitral valve leaflets were more readily identifiable on systolic images with IGEPI.
- IGEPI successfully provided adequate valve visibility in all patients with mitral stenosis and regurgitation.
Conclusions:
- Ultrafast MR imaging with interleaved EPI is a feasible technique for real-time cardiac valve visualization.
- IGEPI offers improved image quality and diagnostic utility for assessing cardiac valve motion, particularly in patients with valvular heart disease.