Adiabatic T1rho-mapping of subacute myocardial ischemia with ultra-short echo time 3-D imaging in ex vivo mice

Motivation: Conventional CMR techniques have many limitations, such as slowness and inability to provide contrast-agent free 3-D assessments of myocardium in the cardiac diseases. Goal(s): The aim of this study is to develop a faster, high-resolution 3-D CMR imaging method for quantitative imaging of the myocardium after myocardial infarction (MI). Approach: Mice hearts were imaged ex vivo 7 days after the factitious MI by using an ultra-short echo time 3-D T1ρ technique (MB-SWIFT-CS). Results: The T1ρ relaxation times were elevated in the infarct area. The findings were validated by 2-D CMR maps and histopathology to confirm ischemia, edema, and fibrosis in the myocardium. Impact: This study presents a quantitative ultra short echo time 3-D CMR method for ex vivo assessment of myocardium after factitious myocardial infarction in mice. The method allowed rapid comprehensive 3-D myocardial evaluation by utilizing compressed sensing and relaxation time mapping.