Unravelling the mechanisms of CE-SSFP in imaging myocardium at risk: The effect of relaxation times on myocardial contrast.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the contrast mechanisms of Contrast-enhanced steady-state free-precession (CE-SSFP) through the utilization of Bloch simulations in an experimental porcine model and in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Methods: Six pigs and ten patients with myocardial infarction underwent CMR and tissue characterization at 1.5 T whereas a Bloch simulation framework was utilized to simulate the CE-SSFP signal formation and compare it against the actual CE-SSFP signal acquired from the experimental porcine model and the patient population.

Factors affecting performance of fetal blood T measurements for noninvasive estimation of oxygen saturation.

Purpose: To ultimately make accurate and precise fetal noninvasive oxygen saturation (sO ) measurements by T -prepared bSSFP more widely available by systematically assessing error sources in order to potentially reduce perinatal mortality in cardiovascular malformations and fetal growth restriction.

Methods: T -prepared bSSFP data were acquired in phantoms; in flowing blood in adults in the superior sagittal sinus, ascending and descending aorta, and main pulmonary artery; and in the fetal descending aorta and umbilical vein. T was assessed in relation to T two- or three-parameter curve-fitting techniques, SSFP readout, refocusing time delay (τ), constant and pulsatile blood flow, and impact of T recovery.