A magnetization‐driven gradient echo pulse sequence for the study of myocardial perfusion

A T₁‐weighted imaging pulse sequence for contrast‐based studies of myocardial perfusion is presented and evaluated in phantoms and in vivo. The sequence is similar to spoiled gradient‐recalled echo equences except that nonselective preparatory RF pulses drive magnetization to steady state prior to image acquisition. Steady state is thus obtained in both tissue and blood resulting in a stable, homogeneous, and dark pre‐contrast baseline. Tip angles and timings are chosen so that pixel intensity approximates a linear relation to 1/T₁. The dynamic range of signal response to contrast agent concentration is greater than that of an inversion‐recovery fast low angle shot sequence. The sequence proposed should be useful for myocardial perfusion studies.