Pulse sequence generated oblique magnetic resonance imaging: Applications to cardiac imaging

Abstract

A pulse sequence procedure for producing oblique magnetic resonance images is described. Using this procedure we present a new, accurate method to obtain true short-axis views and true long-axis views (both parallel and perpendicular to the septal plne) of the heart. The method is accurate regardless of the orientation of patient''s heart. The method does not require the patient to be rotated, nor otherwise moved, and does not require any addition hardware. The method is experimentally verified with both human and phantom studies. The phantom study indicates accuracy of approximately 1.degree. with a commercial scanner that reports angular measurements to a precision of 1.degree.. Application of the short-axis views to measurement of left ventricular volume, and possible advantages of Gauss-Lengendre integration for this measurement are discussed. Finally, multiphase oblique cardiac images are presented.