Fully Automatic Rapid inversion time (TI) Adjustment for Late Gadolinium Enhancement (LGE) Imaging Using a Pencil Beam Excitation Pulse for Single-Line T1 (SLT1) Mapping of Myocardium

Background LGE requires appropriate TI setting to null viable myocardium, which can be challenging and time consuming. Phase sensitive inversion recovery (PSIR) makes the TI choice less crucial for 2D imaging. However, for 3D PSIR navigator gating is required for both IR and reference data significantly increasing scan time. Additionally using a fixed single TI for a 3D scan while contrast washes out is subpotimal and worsens contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). If repeated T1 assessment was possible during 3D LGE, scan time could be reduced and CNR optimized. Although TI scout and T1 mapping sequences could be used to determine correct TI, they cannot be executed rapidly and repeatedly during 3D LGE. We developed a rapid SLT1 technique that can be executed repeatedly during 3D or before 2D scans with minimal time loss. It calculates and writes the TI setting into the protocol automatically.