Fast and Robust 4D Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Cardiovascular Applications

• Applicants: Professor Dr. Joachim Lotz; Professor Dr. Martin Uecker
• Subject Area: Medical Physics, Biomedical Technology ; Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy, Radiobiology
• Term: from 2017 to 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 384478401

Because of its high spatial resolution and avaible tissue contrasts cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has become an indispensable diagnostic tool in cardiovascular medicine. Despite all its advantages it is slow, fragible, and not very comfortable for the patient (repeated breath holds). Due to motion artifacts and during cardiac arrhythmia diagnostic scans are often not of optimal quality. These disadvantages can be avoided with real-time imaging. Nevertheless, real-time MRI still is limited to the acquisition of two-dimensional slices only. Accurate clinical assessment of a complex cardiovascular disease often requires 4D information, i.e. time-resolved imaging of a three-dimensional volume encompassing the whole heart. The goal of this project is the development of an ultra-fast (< 3 min. acquisition time) three-dimensional MRI sequence based on novel iterative reconstruction concepts that has high temporal and spatial resolution and enables robust imaging during free breathing and irregular heartbeat.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Austria