Cardiac MR Fingerprinting with a Low-Rank Reconstruction for Simultaneous T1, T2, and T1ρ Mapping

Motivation: Quantification of T1, T2, and T1ρ may provide insight into myocardial fibrosis without the need for gadolinium-based contrast agents. Goal(s): This study seeks to present and validate a rapid, single breath-hold cMRF approach for simultaneously mapping T1, T2, and T1ρ. Approach: A cardiac-gated MRF sequence was designed to measure T1, T2, and T1ρ and was tested in simulation, phantom, and six healthy subjects. Results: The proposed T1/T2/T1ρ cMRF technique yielded accurate high-resolution T1, T2, and T1ρ maps in simulation, phantom, and in vivo. Impact: Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Fingerprinting can be used to quickly, accurately, and simultaneously map T1, T2, and T1ρ, and has the potential to quickly probe myocardial fibrosis without contrast.