Quantitative Magnetization Transfer Mapping using Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Fingerprinting at 0.55T

Motivation: Accounting for MT effects may produce more accurate quantitative measurements and provide additional insights into myocardial disease. Goal(s): To quantify bound and free water pool T1 and T2, bound pool fraction, and exchange rate in the heart using cMRF measurements. Approach: cMRF data were simulated and collected at 0.55T using several maximum flip angles. Quantitative measurements were generated from these data both including and neglecting MT effects. Results: Explicitly modeling MT effects yielded increased T1 values and enabled mapping of T1 and T2 in the bound and free water pools, the bound pool fraction, and exchange rate in simulation and in vivo. Impact: By modeling the effects of MT in cardiac Magnetic Resonance Fingerprinting, accurate measurements of the relaxation properties of free and bound water pools can be made, which may provide additional insight into the macromolecular make-up of the myocardium.