First 7T 19F MRI with labeled cells in a pig model of myocardial infarction using the twin-rf-array system with pTX support for human MR-scanner.

Motivation: Using ultra-high field may essentially increase the sensitivity of MRI with 19F-labeled immune cells in the pig model. Goal(s): The dedicated 19F and 1H RF-arrays with pTX-support optimized for pig thorax are necessary for cardiac MRI measurements at ultra-high-field. Approach: We designed and tested in-vivo twin 16-element arrays for 1H and 19F nuclei with a focus on optimal SNR and g-factor in the region of the heart. pTX-support allows transferring of subject-specific-B1-shimming from 1H to 19F. Results: The new 7T twin-arrays enables good efficiency of 19F labeled cells detection in the heart and other organs and high quality of 1H MRI for overlay. Impact: First in-vivo images with 19F-labeled cells in a pig heart were acquired in whole body 7T-scanner using dedicated twin-arrays for 1H and 19F-MRI. pTX support allows subject-specific B1-shimming for both 1H and 19F-imaging and high-quality anatomic cardiac images.