title: Novel Methods for Non-Contrast Perfusion Mapping in the Human Myocardium Using Arterial Spin Labelling Magnetic Resonance Imaging
creator: Božić-Iven, Maša
subject: ddc-530
subject: 530 Physics
subject: ddc-600
subject: 600 Technology (Applied sciences)
description: Conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods for measuring myocardial perfusion and diagnosing coronary artery disease rely on gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCA). However, GBCAs pose a risk of accumulation in the body and are contraindicated in patients with kidney failure.   This thesis addresses the challenges of myocardial Arterial Spin Labelling (myoASL) MRI. MyoASL is a promising candidate for contrast-agent-free perfusion mapping. However, the clinical translation of myoASL is hampered due to high levels of measurement noise. Three novel approaches were developed in this thesis to counteract the effects of physiological noise (PN) in myoASL and reduce its sensitivity to acquisition-related and physiological variations.  First, an improved quantification method, incorporating individual blood T1 values and an adapted baseline acquisition, mitigates the effect of the heart rate and acquisition flip angle on the measured perfusion values. Second, T2-prepared myoASL-readouts were introduced, which effectively suppress myocardial signal and reduce the related contributions to the PN. Third, the proposed Double Inversion Recovery preparations substantially reduce signal fluctuations caused by heart rate variability, a major contributor to PN.  Together, these techniques alleviate acquisition-related bias and improve the robustness of myoASL against physiological variations. In extension, the developed techniques offer viable approaches to improve the potential clinical use of myoASL in the future.
date: 2024
type: Dissertation
type: info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
type: NonPeerReviewed
format: application/pdf
identifier: https://archiv.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/volltextserverhttps://archiv.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/volltextserver/35194/1/For_print_Dissertation_Masa_Bozic-Iven.pdf
identifier: DOI:10.11588/heidok.00035194
identifier: urn:nbn:de:bsz:16-heidok-351945
identifier:   Božić-Iven, Maša  (2024) Novel Methods for Non-Contrast Perfusion Mapping in the Human Myocardium Using Arterial Spin Labelling Magnetic Resonance Imaging.  [Dissertation]     
relation: https://archiv.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/volltextserver/35194/
rights: info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
rights: http://archiv.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/volltextserver/help/license_urhg.html
language: eng