Suwit Saekho1,2, Uten Yarach1,
Petai Buttakote1, Siriphan Luxsakhum1, Arintaya
Phrommintikul3, Nipon Chattipakorn4
1Radiological Technology,
Chiang Mai University, Muang, Chiang mai, Thailand; 2Biomedical
Engineering Center, Chiang Mai University, Muang , Chiang Mai University,
Thailand; 3Internal Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Muang, Chiang
Mai, Thailand; 4Cardiac Electrophysiology Research & Training
Center , Chiang Mai University, Muang, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Accuracy, reproducibility and selected curve fitting model for the T2* measurement depend on SNR and resolution of MR images. Currently, single breath-hold technique has been used in most centers. The limitation of this technique is that acquisition time is constrained by the breath-holding capability in each individual resulting in limited SNR and resolution on images. We propose free-breathing technique to assess myocardial T2* employing a navigator pre-pulse to reduce motion artifact. This technique improved the resolution and SNR by approximately 40% resulting in better inter-study and intra-observer reproducibility, as well as less dependent to the curve fitting algorithms.