We describe a rapid fast field echo (FFE) Magnetic Resonance Elastography (MRE) pulse sequence for measurement of liver stiffness in reduced breath hold times (from 13.3s to 9.2s/slice). The key features of the sequence include: 1) modified motion encoding gradients to allow a shorter TR while maintaining appropriate synchronization with the period of the applied mechanical motion; 2) flow saturation pre-pulses to suppress ascending and descending vascular flow; and 3) SENSE reconstruction. Through validation in a gel phantom and subsequent measurement of liver stiffness in vivo, we demonstrate the effectiveness of the new pulse sequence.
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