Faster Inversion Recovery Prepared T1 weighted segmented turbo field echo sequence (IR-TFE): Evaluating options for eliminating the start-up shot

Introduction In conventional multi-shot IR-TFE sequences, e.g., clinical myocardial viability imaging, data collected during the first one or two shots is ignored, to minimize signal intensity variation across the shots. For a typical 8-10 heartbeat acquisition, such dummy shots results in scan overhead of 10-15% longer scan time. We evaluate the effect of removing the start-up shots in such IR-TFE sequences, and minimizing the effect of resulting artifacts