Cardiac diffusion MRI using Connectom scanner

Cardiac diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging (cardiac dMRI) allows to non-invasively assess the microstructure of the heart. Cardiac motion typically necessitates the use of motion-compensated diffusion gradients. Here we report for the first time on the application of cardiac dMRI on a Connectom MR scanner with a gradient strength of 300 mT/m using a spin echo (SE) sequence with EPI readout and up to third order (M3) motion-compensated diffusion gradients. The results show the benefits of applying dMRI with higher order motion compensation in the human heart using a Connectom scanner.