Non-Selective Double Inversion Recovery Pre-Pulse for Flow-Independent Black Blood Myocardial Scar Imaging: Optimization of the T1 Suppression Range

Sarah Anne Peel¹, Geraint Morton¹, Eike Nagel¹, Ren M. Botnar¹

MRI late gadolinium enhancement using the inversion recovery sequence is the current gold standard for the assessment of myocardial viability. Although it achieves high contrast between infarct and normal myocardium, there is often poor infarct-to-blood contrast. In this work we show that the non-selective double inversion recovery pre-pulse can be used to suppress blood signal and improve depiction of sub-endocardial infarcts. Adjustment of the T1 suppression range allows the user to control the level of blood suppression. In patient studies, the time post contrast administration appears to have a smaller effect on signal characteristics than the T1 suppression range.