Motion compensated SE diffusion tensor cardiovascular magnetic resonance at ultra-high gradient strength at Connectom scanner

Motivation: Second-order motion-compensated spin-echo (MCSE) DT-CMR is limited by long echo-times (TE), resulting in T2-related signal-loss. Goal(s): Use the ultrahigh gradient-strength of the Connectom scanner to reduce TE of second-order MCSE DT-CMR. Approach: A second-order MCSE DT-CMR pulse-sequence was developed. Ultra-high (180mT/m) and a high gradient-strength (80mT/m) were compared in acquiring in-vivo DT-CMR data at two cardiac phases. Results: The substantial reduction in TE enabled by ultra-high gradient-strength resulted in improvements in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in both cardiac phases. To our knowledge this is the first report comparing the performance of second-order MCSE DT-CMR at ultra-high gradient-strength (Connectom) to widely available high gradient-strengths. Impact: Second-order MCSE DT-CMR acquired using ultra-high diffusion gradient strengths increases SNR in both cardiac phases, paving the way for future clinical translation of efficient multiphase DT-CMR.