Efficient Use of Acquisition Time in T2 and T1p Relaxation Maps

Motivation: T2 and T1p relaxation maps are useful cardiac MR parameters to evaluate myocardial disease. A large portion of the total acquisition time is spent waiting for magnetization recovery rather than data acquisition. Goal(s): Shortened recovery times and single shot image readouts can more efficiently use the acquisition time to reduce total scan time or acquire more data for improved SNR. Approach: Combine T1 relaxation maps and signal modelling to correct T2 and T1p relaxation map errors due to shortened post image recovery times and linear single shot image readouts Results: Corrected cardiac relaxation maps acquired with reduced scan time showed improved quality. Impact: The acquisition time of T2/T1p relaxation maps can be reduced with shortened recovery times and single-shot image readouts corrected with signal modeling. Alternatively, the same method can be used to increase the accuracy of relaxation maps without increased acquisition time.