Optimization of Steady-state Free Precession with 19F Perfluoropropane for Increased Signal-to-Noise for Human Lung Ventilation Imaging at 3 T

Fluorinated gas MRI is an alternative modality to hyperpolarized gas MR for imaging lung ventilation, but is constrained by lower SNR. Improvement of the signal-to-noise ratio of human lung ventilation images with ¹⁹F the steady-state free precession (SSFP) sequence was previously explored at 1.5T. Here, we present optimization of SSFP for imaging lung ventilation at 3T. The achievable improvement of in-vivo imaging quality with realistic relaxation parameters is demonstrated with comparison against the spoiled gradient echo sequence. Limits in applying the SSFP sequence due to specific absorption ratio at 3T and the dependence on T₂^* within the lungs are detailed.