Christopher T. Rodgers1, Lowri E. Cochlin2,
Damian J. Tyler2, Stefan Neubauer1, Matthew D. Robson1
1Oxford Centre for Clinical Magnetic
Resonance Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; 2Department
of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, United Kingdom
Cardiac
31P spectra of high-energy phosphorus metabolites are typically
acquired using a transmit/receive surface coil. In MR imaging, single element
surface coils have largely been superseded by receive arrays, which provide
higher signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) and larger fields of view (FOVs). We
present the first receive array cardiac 31P spectra at 3T.
Comparing with an established protocol in 8 normal volunteers, we observe
larger FOV and homogeneity, increased comfort, and an enhancement in SNR
comparable to that from NOE. Our 8-element array contains for the first time
posterior elements, which contribute up to 35% at the posterior of the heart.