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Multiparametric Whole Heart Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Kolloquium der Abteilung 8

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become the gold standard for the assessment of cardiac anatomy, left ventricular function, myocardial viability and perfusion due to its excellent soft tissue contrast, high spatial resolution and lack of ionizing radiation. Recent clinical research studies also have demonstrated its usefulness for quantitative myocardial tissue characterization (T1 and T2 relaxation time mapping) and its ability to detect focal and diffuse fibrosis, oedema, iron and protein deposition. In addition, MRI has shown potential for coronary lumen, plaque and thrombus/haemorrhage characterization. Limitations of the current MRI acquisition scheme is that all imaging sequences are acquired sequentially, in different geometric orientations, at different breath-hold positions or using time inefficient navigator gating methods to compensate for respiratory motion. To address these limitation we have developed a self-navigation motion correction framework and combined it with image acceleration techniques to enable motion corrected multi-contrast and quantitative high-resolution free-breathing (no breathholds) 3D cardiac imaging with minimal planning (less training required) and near 100% scan efficiency (faster scans, lower costs). As an alternative solution, we also have developed 2D breathhold and 3D free-breathing cardiac MR fingerprinting. Here we will discuss the latest technical developments and show first results in healthy volunteers and patients with cardiovascular disease.