Quantitative T_2 Mapping in Cardiac MRI

Abstract

The thesis discusses a quantitative method to examine the myocardium using an MRdependant tissue parameter known as the spin-spin relaxation time, T 2. This parameter is related to cardiac pathologies, such as myocardial edema, or inflammation. The goal of my project was to optimize a data acquisition technique (double-inversion radial fast spin echo or DIR-RADFSE), previously developed in Dr. Altbach's lab, for cardiac MRI applications. The data collected with DIR-RADFSE can be used to calculate T2 via specialized reconstruction algorithms. First, the setups with DIR-RADFSE sequence were optimized with the goal of reducing artifacts due to aliasing, chemical shift, indirect echoes and cardiac motion (due to higher heart rates). Then, reproducibility studies were conducted on healthy controls to evaluate the reproducibility of the T2 values in the myocardium. The technique was also tested on patients who were undergoing a routine clinical examination. The results of this initial clinical study are presented in the thesis.