Intrinsic MRI visualizes RF lesions within minutes after MR-guided ablation

Background MR visualization of RF lesions is an application of growing interest with the potential for translation to clinical ablation procedures. In particular, intrinsic-contrast MRI avoids the dynamic contrast produced in typical Gd-based MRI, and may differentiate the reversible and irreversible thermal injury thought to be caused by RF ablation. This distinction is important for assessing the permanence of ablation to eradicate the substrate of ventricular tachycardia in structural heart disease. In this study we investigate the potential of intrinsic-contrast MRI to visualize the features of thermal injury and evolution of RF lesions that may occur immediately after ablation.