Accelerated cardiac imaging using the SMASH technique

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.