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Abstract #4574

Optimal Flip Angle for Balanced SSFP Cardiac Cine Imaging

Subashini Srinivasan1, 2, Daniel B. Ennis, 13

1Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States; 2Department of Radiological Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States; 3Department of Radiological Sciences, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States


Cine balanced SSFP is the clinical standard for cardiac structural and functional imaging due to its high blood-myocardium contrast compared to spoiled GRE imaging. The literature indicates that the optimal flip angle required for the maximum blood-myocardium contrast is 54˚ for imaging at 1.5T, but simulations didnt account for flowing blood. Our Bloch simulations of stationary myocardium and flowing blood indicate that a flip angle of ~130˚ is required for maximum blood-myocardium contrast and agree with in vivo results up to ~80. The highest available flip angle, subject to SAR limitations, should be used for balanced SSFP cardiac cine imaging.