Silent Pseudo-Continuous Arterial Spin Labeling

Michael Helle¹, Tim Nielsen¹

Conventional pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling (pCASL) employs trapezoidal gradient waveforms and requires high gradient strengths in combination with high slew rates for sufficient labeling of flowing blood spins, which results in mechanical vibrations and a high acoustic noise level. In this study, possibilities are presented on how to reduce the acoustic noise level and the mechanical strain of a pCASL sequence, either by optimizing the labeling interval duration or by applying a sinusoidal gradient waveform for the labeling sequence or both.