TrueFISP—technical considerations and cardiovascular applications

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0720-048X(02)00330-3Get rights and content

Abstract

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using steady-state free precession (SSFP) sequences was described in the early years of MR imaging. However, due to hardware imperfections, these techniques were not robust enough at the time to play any significant role in clinical MRI. More recently, significant hardware improvements became widely available, and the SSFP sequences such as TrueFISP (true fast imaging with steady-state precession) became very popular for a variety of clinical applications due to the distinct improvements in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). The purpose of this article is to give an overview on the basics of TrueFISP imaging and to demonstrate its potential for current clinical applications with a focus on cardiovascular MRI.

Section snippets

TrueFISP—technical considerations

Among many other factors, the quality of magnetic resonance images strongly depends on the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). Unfortunately, with most imaging techniques the SNR drops significantly when one tries to scan faster. This is due to spin saturation effects when the pulse repetition time is in the order, or even shorter than the longitudinal relaxation time T1. In 1986 Oppelt [1] described a new gradient-echo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique

Cardiac imaging

Over the last decade cardiac MR (CMR) has become the new gold standard for the evaluation of cardiac anatomy and function based on the high accuracy and reproducibility of CMR [4]. As described above, TrueFISP offers high SNR and CNR as well as high temporal resolution. Consequently, the image quality is much better as compared with the traditionally used spoiled gradient-echo fast low-angle shot (FLASH) MR technique. The blood-myocardial CNR is about two times higher compared with FLASH, the

Summary

SSFP sequences like TrueFISP have opened a new era in non-invasive cardiovascular imaging, especially in imaging of dynamic structures like the beating heart. This is due to highest achievable SNR and CNR and best possible temporal resolution.

TrueFISP has become the sequence of choice for evaluation of cardiac function, anatomy and late enhancement.

References (38)

  • V. Lee et al.

    Cardiac function: MR evaluation in one breath hold with real-time true fast imaging with steady-state precession

    Radiology

    (2002)
  • K. Nayak et al.

    Rapid ventricular assessment using real-time interactive multislice MRI

    Magn. Reson. Med.

    (2001)
  • K. Alfakih et al.

    Comparision of right ventricular volume measurement between segmented k-space gradient echo and steady-state free precession magnetic resonance imaging

    J. Magn. Reson. Imaging

    (2002)
  • F. Pereles et al.

    Usefulness of segmented TrueFISP cardiac pulse sequence in evaluation of congenital and acquired adult cardiac abnormalities

    Am. J. Radiol.

    (2001)
  • E. Nagel et al.

    Noninvasive diagnosis of ischemia-induced wall motion abnormalities with the use of high-dose dobutamine stress MRI. Comparison with dobutamine stress echocardiography

    Circulation

    (1999)
  • G. Hundley et al.

    Utility of fast cine magnetic resonance imaging and display for the detection of myocardial ischemia in patients not well suited for second harmonic stress echocardiography

    Circulation

    (1999)
  • R. Trent et al.

    Dobutamine magnetic resonance imaging as a predictor of myocardial functional recovery after revascularization

    Heart

    (2000)
  • R. Kim et al.

    Relationship of MRI delayed contrast enhancement to irreversible injury, infarct age, and contractile function

    Circulation

    (1999)
  • W. Rehwald et al.

    Myocardial magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent concentrations after reversible and irreversible ischemic injury

    Circulation

    (2002)
  • Cited by (0)

    1

    Tel.: +1-312-337-9283.

    2

    Tel.: +81-3-5800-8930; fax: +81-3-5800-8935.

    View full text