Projection reconstruction balanced fast field echo for interactive real-time cardiac imaging

A balanced fast field echo (FFE) sequence (also referred to as true fast im aging with steady precession (true FISP)), based on projection reconstructi on (PR) is evaluated in combination with real-time reconstruction and inter active scanning capabilities for cardiac function studies. Cardiac image se quences obtained with the balanced PR-FFE method are compared with images o btained with a spin-warp (2D Fourier transform (2DFT)) technique. In partic ular, the representation of motion artifacts in both techniques is investig ated. Balanced PR-FFE provides a similar contrast to spin-warp-related tech niques, but is less sensitive to motion artifacts. The use of angular under sampling within balanced PR-FFE is examined as a means to increase temporal resolution while causing only minor artifacts. Furthermore, a modification of the profile order allows the reconstruction of PR images at different s patial and temporal resolution levels from the same data. This study shows that balanced PR-FFE is a robust tool for cardiac function studies. (C) 200 1 Wiley-Liss, Inc.