A Theoretical Model Describing the Cine-ASL Perfusion Mapping Technique: Steadily-Pulsed Labeling Provides Better Acquisition Efficiency Than FAIR

Thibaut Capron¹, Thomas Troalen¹, Patrick J. Cozzone¹, Monique Bernard¹, Frank Kober¹

The FAIR-ASL method, applied to the heart, has key limitations due to the relaxation of the labeled magnetization during the experiment. We propose a new steadily-pulsed ASL experimental scheme that allows maintaining the tagged state, simultaneously with cine-imaging. We provide a theoretical description of such a scheme and show a close agreement with the behavior observed in a proof-of-concept experiment carried out in mice heart. The calculations thus allow for a reliable assessment of myocardial perfusion. Furthermore, theory predicts that the acquisition efficiency can be enhanced by a factor of 3 with respect to the widely used FAIR technique.