TY  - GEN
TI  - Novel Methods for Non-Contrast Perfusion Mapping in the Human Myocardium Using Arterial Spin Labelling Magnetic Resonance Imaging
CY  - Heidelberg
A1  - Bo?i?-Iven, Ma?a
N2  - 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.
UR  - https://archiv.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/volltextserver/35194/
Y1  - 2024///
ID  - heidok35194
AV  - public
ER  -