Accelerated T1ρ,adiab Mapping using Slice Selective Spin-Lock Preparation Pulses (FAST1ρ)

Motivation: T1ρ mapping is a promising non-contrast technique for the assessment of myocardial scar. Myocardial T1ρ mapping techniques commonly acquire multiple images in one breath hold to calculate a single-slice T1ρ map. Recently, non-selective adiabatic pulses have been employed for spin-lock preparation (T1ρ,adiab). FAST1ρ provides a two-fold acceleration for multi-slice myocardial T1ρ,adiab mapping. Goal(s): To assess the T1ρ,adiab map quality of FAST1ρ compared to a single-slice 2D T1ρ,adiab mapping sequence. Approach: 10 healthy-volunteers were scanned with FAST1ρ and a single-slice sequence. Results: FAST1ρ had no significant difference in intra-subject variability or subject-wise precision, to the single-slice sequence, and successfully visualized a myocardial scar. Impact: FAST1ρ provides a two-fold acceleration for multi-slice myocardial T1ρ,adiab mapping. It has no significant difference in intra-subject variability or subject-wise precision, compared to a single-slice sequence, and shows promise for characterization a myocardial scar.