Optimization of ECG-triggered 3D Na-23 MRI of the human heart

Na-23 MRI may allow distinction of normal and ischemically injured myocardi um. The aim of this study was to optimize 23Na MRI of the human heart by im provement of spatial resolution and EGG-triggering and to measure the signa l/noise of blood and myocardium and the myocardium/blood signal ratios in a volunteer study. A spoiled gradient echo sequence was developed an a 1.5T scanner equipped with a Na-23 heart surface coil. 3D short axis EGG-trigger ed Na-23 MRI was performed in 10 healthy subjects. The signal/noise of myoc ardium and blood were 8.2 +/- 0.7 and 18.3 +/- 1.3, respectively signal rat io myocardium/blood was 0.44 +/- 0.03. This value is in good agreement with the theoretical value of 0.45. ECG gated 3D 23Na MRI of the human heart is feasible with sufficient spatial resolution and signal/noise ratio. Magn R eson Med 45:164-166, 2001, (C) 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.