Fast, three‐dimensional free‐breathing MR imaging of myocardial infarction: A feasibility study

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Abstract
Imaging delayed hyperenhancement of myocardial infarction is most commonly performed using an inversion recovery (IR) prepared 2D breathhold segmented k-space gradient echo (FGRE) sequence. Since only one slice is acquired per breathhold in this technique, 12–16 successive breathholds are required for complete anatomical coverage of the heart. This prolongs the overall scan time and may be exhausting for patients. A navigator-echo gated, free-breathing, 3D FGRE sequence is proposed that can be used to acquire a single slab covering the entire heart with high spatial resolution. The use of a new variable sampling in time (VAST) acquisition scheme enables the entire 3D volume to be acquired in 1.5–2 min, minimizing artifacts from bulk motion and diaphragmatic drift and contrast variations due to contrast media washout. Magn Reson Med 51:1055–1060, 2004.