In vivo free-breathing DTI and IVIM of the whole human heart using a real-time slice-followed SE-EPI navigator-based sequence: A reproducibility study in healthy volunteers

International audienceIn this study, we proposed an efficient free-breathing strategy for rapid and improved cardiac diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) acquisition using a single-shot spin-echo echo planar imaging (SE-EPI) sequence. Methods: A real-time slice-following technique during free-breathing was combined with a sliding acquisition-window strategy prior Principal Component Analysis temporal Maximum Intensity Projection (PCAtMIP) postprocessing of in-plane co-registered diffusion-weighted images. This methodology was applied to 10 volunteers to quantify the performance of the motion correction technique and the reproducibility of diffusion parameters. Results: The slice-following technique offers a powerful head–foot respiratory motion management solution for SE-EPI cDWI with the advantage of a 100% duty cycle scanning efficiency. The level of co-registration was further improved using nonrigid motion corrections and was evaluated with a co-registration index. Vascular fraction f and the diffusion coefficients D and D* were determined to be 0.122 ± 0.013, 1.41 ± 0.09 × 10−3 mm2/s and 43.6 ± 9.2 × 10−3 mm2/s, respectively. From the multidirectional dataset, the measured mean diffusivity was 1.72 ± 0.09 × 10−3 mm2/s and the fractional anisotropy was 0.36 ± 0.02. Conclusion: The slice-following DWI SE-EPI sequence is a promising solution for clinical implementation, offering a robust improved workflow for further evaluation of DWI in cardiology. Magn Reson Med, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc