Optimal subject-specific pCASL settings by automated inner-scan timing adaption

The presented automated inner-scan timing adjustment for subject-specific pCASL measurements can reduce uncertainties in perfusion quantification. The high variability of arterial transit times often leads to undesired arterial transit delay (ATD) artifacts. The method evaluated here allows the optimal FL-bolus duration to be individually adjusted by analyzing intermediate decoded perfusion-weighted images and directly adjusting the sub-bolus durations without increasing the measurement time. The aim is to reduce the FL-bolus duration as much as necessary, but to keep it as long as possible in order to obtain a maximum signal.