3D free-breathing late gadolinium enhancement 3T MRI: comparison with standard 2D Imaging

Background Clinical cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) is routinely performed during multiple breathholds in predefined 2D image orientations. 3D CMR is desirable, since it allows post-acquisition reformatting in any desired imaging plane. However, 3D CMR is hampered by long breath-hold duration, introducing patient discomfort and technical limitations. These limitations can be overcome by application of respiratory navigator techniques, for example to perform late gadolinium enhanced (LGE) CMR. The presently proposed 3D approach allows to: (1) perform 3D CMR during free-breathing; (2) increase image resolution; (3) average out heart rate variability by using a phase sensitive inversion recovery sequence (PSIR); (4) improve myocardial nulling, especially relevant at higher MR field strength such as 3T. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to develop and clinically test 3D free-breathing PSIR LGE CMR using a respiratory navigator approach at 3T in comparison to a standard 2D breath-hold sequence.