Abstract #1923

Liu C, Nayak K

Real-time imaging provides the ability to monitor dynamic processes and interactively selects scanning planes. The development of color flow mapping in ultrasound has proven to be effective at visualizing regurgitant jets and abnormal flow. It is desirable to have such capability in an MR exam. In this work we develop variable-density spiral k-space acquisitions for phase contrast cardiac flow imaging at 3T. A real-time platform was used for reconstruction of both velocity and density maps and color image display. The performance of uniform and variable density spirals were compared qualitatively and quantitatively for real-time cardiac flow assessment.