Optimal Flip Angle for High Contrast Balanced SSFP Cardiac Cine Imaging

PurposeTo determine the optimal flip angle (FA) for cardiac cine imaging that maximizes myocardial signal and blood-myocardium contrast. MethodsBloch equation simulations of stationary myocardium and flowing blood with an imperfect slice profile were compared to in vivo measurements of blood and myocardium signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and blood-myocardium contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) in healthy subjects (N=10) in the short-axis and four-chamber views and in patients (N=7) in the three-chamber imaging plane. ResultsLeft ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) blood SNR and blood-myocardium CNR increases with increasing FA up to approximate to 105 degrees in the short-axis view. A similar trend is seen in the RV four-chamber view, but a marked SNR difference between the LV and RV blood appears for FA>75 degrees, especially during systole. Notable RV and LV SNR and CNR differences are also evident in the three-chamber view due to the predominant LV in-plane flow versus RV through-plane flow. ConclusionVery high blood-myocardium CNR can be obtained with a FA of approximate to 105 degrees in the short-axis plane and approximate to 75 degrees in the three-chamber and four-chamber imaging planes. However, if through-plane flow is limited, as may occur for patients with low ejection fraction or low heart rates, then the FA may be limited to approximate to 75 degrees. Magn Reson Med 73:1095-1103, 2015. (c) 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.