Method for non-contrast enhanced pulmonary vein magnetic resonance imaging
AssigneeBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Inc.
InventorsPeng Hu, Reza Nezafat
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method for non-contrast enhanced pulmonary vein magnetic resonance imaging substantially suppresses the signal from cardiac tissue adjacent to the left atrium and pulmonary vein is provided. Significant conspicuity of the left atrium and pulmonary vein versus adjacent anatomical structures is produced. In this manner, more accurate measurements of pulmonary vein ostia size are facilitated, as well as more accurate registration of imaging volumes with a radiofrequency ablation catheter during pulmonary vein isolation procedures. In addition, more robust three-dimensional volume views of the left atrium and pulmonary vein are produced without the administration of contrast agents.
Claims18
A method for producing a non-contrast enhanced image of a subject with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, the steps comprising:
- a) identifying a desired imaging slab extending parallel to an imaging plane including at least a portion of the pulmonary vein;
- b) performing a pulse sequence with the MRI system that includes:
- i) applying an inversion recovery radiofrequency (RF) pulse in an inversion slab oriented in an inversion plane that extends not parallel to the imaging plane and not including the pulmonary vein of the subject;
- ii) allowing a selected inversion time (TI) to pass following the application of the inversion recovery RF pulse;
- iii) following the TI, acquiring image data from the desired imaging slab;
- and
- c) reconstructing an image of the subject including at least the portion of the pulmonary vein from the acquired image data.
A method for producing an non-contrast enhanced image of a subject's pulmonary vein with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, the steps comprising:
- a) acquiring an electrocardiogram (ECG) signal from the subject to at least identify an R-wave in the acquired ECG signal;
- b) performing a pulse sequence with the MRI system that causes the MRI system to:
- i) after identifying an occurrence of an R-wave in the acquired ECG signal, apply an inversion recovery radiofrequency (RF) pulse in an inversion slab that is oriented in a plane not parallel to an imaging plane and that does not include the pulmonary vein;
- ii) acquire image data in an imaging slab parallel to the imaging plane beginning at a selected inversion time (TI) following the application of the inversion recovery RF pulse;
- iii) acquire navigator echo data;
- c) reconstructing an image including the subject's pulmonary vein from the acquired image data and using the navigator echo data;
- and
- wherein the imaging slab extends through at least a portion of the pulmonary vein.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.