Robust Simultaneous Multi-Slice Diffusion Tensor Cardiovascular MRI using Referenceless Nyquist Ghost Correction

Motivation: Simultaneous multislice parallel imaging (SMS-PI) improves diffusion tensor cardiovascular MR (DT-CMR) efficiency but requires multiple calibration scans, prolonging acquisition and risking misalignment from heart movement and image artefacts. Goal(s): Enhance SMS-PI DT-CMR efficiency and accuracy, while minimising artefacts to improve cardiac microstructure quantification. Approach: We implemented referenceless EPI ghost correction with 1-step SMS-PI. Comparisons with 2-step, EPI navigator-based methods assessed artefact suppression and diffusion quantification accuracy. Results: Our SMS method reduced ghost and inter-slice leakage artifacts compared to conventional navigator-based 2-step methods, achieving comparable DT-CMR results to single-band approaches. +++ Impact: One-step SMS reconstruction combined with referenceless EPI phase correction enhances imaging efficiency while suppressing ghost and leakage artefacts, enabling a more robust SMS DT-CMR and paving the way for its clinical translation.