Ultra-High-Field Cardiac MRI in Human Volunteers and Patients
Development of a Parallel Transmit Coil for Cardiac MRI
In collaboration with RAPID Biomedical, we are developing a dedicated parallel transmit (pTx) RF coil with central symmetry of transmit and receive elements (8Tx/16Rx) The coil features 8 independent transmit channels specifically designed for human cardiac MRI at 7T to enable an optimal combination of B1+-shimming capabilities and parallel imaging in challenging thoracic anatomy.[1-3]
Comprehensive SAR Assessment and Analysis
A key focus of this project is the simulation-based evaluation of specific absorption rate (SAR) under various real-world conditions. Particular attention is given to the presence of conductive implants located outside the heart—such as dental retainers, intrauterine devices (IUDs), and hip joint implants—to assess their impact on local and global SAR. Additionally, we perform SAR analysis for potential applications of the cardiac coil in abdominal and pelvic imaging, supporting broader translational use beyond the heart[2].
SAR in the presence of the massive conductive implants
Development and Optimization of Functional CINE MRI at 7T
The development of a robust functional CINE MRI protocol at 7T has progressed in two distinct phases.
- In the first phase, 80 healthy volunteers were scanned using a commercial single-transmit RF coil provided with the scanner (MRI Tools), demonstrating the feasibility of high-resolution cardiac imaging at ultra-high field. The results of this phase have been published.
- In the ongoing second phase, 40 additional subjects are being scanned using a newly developed parallel transmit coil, with further protocol refinements aimed at improving image quality and RF efficiency. Results from this phase are currently under analysis and in preparation for publication.
References
- Terekhov, M., Elabyad, IA, Resmer, F., Lanz, T., Reiter, T., Lohr, D., Schlöttelburg, W., Schreiber, L.M. Customized B1+-Shaping using Multi-Channel Transceiver Array Prototype for 7T Cardiac MRI with Central Elements Symmetry. in International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine Annual Meeting. 2020. Virtual Meeting.
- Terekhov, M., et al., Complementary analysis of specific absorption rate safety for an 8Tx/16Rx array with central symmetry of elements for magnetic resonance imaging of the human heart and abdominopelvic organs at 7 T. NMR Biomed, 2023. 36(12): p. e5023.
- Reiter, T., et al., On the way to routine cardiac MRI at 7 Tesla - a pilot study on consecutive 84 examinations. PLoS One, 2021. 16(7): p. e0252797.