Retrogated spiral 3-directional myocardial phase velocity mapping in a single breath-hold

Background Myocardial phase velocity mapping studies have generally been acquired using Cartesian k-space coverage and respiratory gating [1,2]. Acquisition durations for high temporal resolution studies are therefore long and unpredictable and the use of navigators and prospective cardiac gating results in ‘dead-times’ in the cardiac cycle where imaging cannot be performed. We have developed a technique which combines highly efficient spiral k-space coverage with retrospective cardiac gating for 3D velocity mapping over the entire cardiac cycle within a breath-hold. The feasibility for rapid assessment of myocardial motion is demonstrated.