4D flow with a bSSFP approach

Motivation: Conventional 4D flow may find application in diastolic dysfunction evaluations, but is limited by low contrast. Goal(s): Our goal was to extend our previously established 2D PC-SSFP to 4D flow for more robust mitral flow measurements, simultaneously providing E, A, e' and possibly tricuspid regurgitation in a single scan. Approach: We investigated our method in both flow phantoms and healthy volunteers, and compared with 2D CMR and spoiled GRE based 4D flow. Results: Our proposed 4D flow PC-SSFP measured similar flow and maximum velocities, while achieving improved myocardium-blood contrast and higher SNR. Impact: A 4D flow PC-SSFP was developed for more robust diastolic dysfunction evaluations, which estimated mitral inflow and valve velocity in a single scan, and demonstrated agreement with 2D measurements and spoiled GRE based 4D flow, yet improved image quality.