19F-MRI of inhaled perfluoropropane gas allows assessment of lung ventilation properties with a thermally polarised tracer gas. Due to the scarcity of signal from the non-hyperpolarised gas-phase imaging agent, optimal scan protocol design plays a critical role in image quality. Acquisition variables and coil power performance were modelled to determine the optimal image acquisition parameters for a spoiled gradient echo pulse sequence for human 19F birdcage and chest surface coils. Application of optimised scan protocols to human studies shows acceptable image quality for assessment of lung function.
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