Abstract #0078

Peters D, Kissinger K, Manning W

Delayed hyperenhancement imaging of scar and inflammation is a powerful technique, which has recently been applied in high resolution applications such as vessel wall imaging. The typical signal evolution during the acquisition window for inversion recovery gradient echo acquisition is analyzed, demonstrating signal changes greater than 250% during the window. An alternative method using increasing flip angles is presented which provides constant signal during the acquisition, based on T1, TI, TR and heart-rate. The results of this method are compared to conventional methods in simulations, phantoms and patients.