[Optimal Conditions for 3D Non-contrast T 1 -weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging Segmented Turbo Fast Low-angle Shot for Tissue Characterization of Coronary Plaques].

In three-dimensional (3D) T1 -weighted magnetic resonance imaging used for tissue characterization of coronary plaques, the contrast for electrocardiographic synchronization may vary according to the R-R interval (RR). The coronary artery plaque image shows suppression of the fluid compartment signal for the coronary artery luminal blood as well as the fat signal in the region of interest; in addition, it is necessary to ensure that the value of the plaque-to-muscle signal intensity ratio (PMR) does not change according to the difference in RR. In the current study, the phantom review and clinical data suggested that the PMR changes that occur due to the differences in RR can be minimized by adjusting the inversion time (TI) in the range of the required black blood effect. Moreover, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), which varies according to the difference between the RR and the TI, was determined to identify the maximum value flip angle (FA) value that would lead to improvement in the SNR. Thus, signal suppression of the PMR, SNR, and the fluid compartment of the coronary artery luminal blood can be controlled using different RRs with the relational expressions for calculating optimal TI and FA.