Gray blood late gadolinium enhancement based on phase-sensitive inversion recovery for improved detection of myocardial scar and cardiac mass

Motivation: During magnetic resonance imaging for myocardial viability, the bright blood within the heart chambers can significantly diminish the apparent volume of myocardial scars or obscure the visualization of cardiac masses. Goal(s): An imaging technique that can reduce the signal from the blood pool and highlight the signal of the scar tissue or cardiac masses is needed to increase diagnostic accuracy. Approach: Subjects are randomized to undergo gray blood and bright blood late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) imaging using phase-sensitive inversion recovery technique to compare the diagnostic differences for scar tissue or cardiac masses. Results: Gray blood LGE reveals more myocardial scars or cardiac masses. Impact: Gray blood LGE enhances the detection of myocardial scars and intracavitary cardiac masses, especially those showing enhancement after contrast injection, facilitating clinical decisions and improving patient outcomes. Additionally, the PSIR-based gray blood approach offers greater adaptability and ease of use.