SMASH (Simultaneous Acquisition of Spatial Harmonics) was recently introduc
ed as a novel rapid-imaging technique. The SMASH technique rises a partiall
y parallel acquisition strategy using spatial information from a radiofrequ
ency coil array to accelerate imaging. This study constitutes the first app
lication of SMASH to cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. The increased imag
ing speed provided by SMASH was used to obtain images with reduced breathho
ld duration, enhanced spatial resolution, and increased temporal resolution
in healthy volunteers. The results obtained demonstrate the feasibility an
d potential clinical utility of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging using th
e SMASH technique.