Cardiac CINE MR imaging with a 32-channel cardiac coil and parallel imaging: impact of acceleration factors on image quality and volumetric accuracy.

PURPOSE

To assess the impact of parallel imaging algorithms on image quality and volumetric accuracy of CINE magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with high temporal and spatial resolution using a new 32-channel dedicated cardiac phased array coil.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fourteen individuals underwent steady-state free precession (SSFP) CINE MRI using a 32-element phased-array coil and parallel imaging acceleration using spatiotemporal sensitivity encoding (TSENSE). Acquisition acceleration ranged from R = 2 to 7. In conjunction with data extracted from phantom measurements, contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) performance was evaluated for each acceleration factor and subjective image quality was evaluated by two independent readers. In addition, volumetric assessment was performed for each acceleration factor based on a single breath-hold multi-slice data acquisition. Results were compared to nonTSENSE measurements.

RESULTS

CNR for non-accelerated CINE (R = 1) was 45.7 +/- 12.8 and showed a constant decrease with increase in acceleration of 51% at R = 4 and 86% at R = 7. CNR losses accompanied reductions in subjective image quality. Volumetric evaluation was accurate for R <or= 4, with significant underestimation of ejection fraction (EF) at higher accelerations.

CONCLUSION

This study shows that one-dimensional acceleration factors up to R = 4 allow accurate SSFP CINE MRI even though CNR is significantly reduced. This allows for a marked reduction in scan time and allows for multi-slice CINE imaging with high spatial and temporal resolution.