Key result
The BLESSPC algorithm demonstrated superior T1 estimation accuracy (0.2% ± 1.5%) compared to original fit (-3.2% ± 1.4%) and was least sensitive to flip angle, heart rate, and acquisition scheme.
Why the study?
Does the BLESSPC algorithm improve the accuracy, precision, and reproducibility of myocardial T1 mapping compared to other T1 estimation algorithms?
Does the BLESSPC algorithm improve the accuracy, precision, and reproducibility of myocardial T1 mapping compared to other T1 estimation algorithms?
The BLESSPC algorithm provides superior accuracy and consistency for myocardial T1 mapping compared to conventional MOLLI estimation methods, particularly at higher flip angles.
BLESSPC with 50° FA improves MOLLI T1 accuracy and reproducibility; leaves open clinical adoption pending patient validation.
PURPOSE: To compare the accuracy and precision of four different T1 estimation algorithms for modified Look-Locker inversion recovery (MOLLI). METHODS: Four T1 estimation algorithms, including the original fit, inversion group (IG) fit, instantaneous signal loss simulation (InSiL), and Bloch equation simulation with slice profile correction (BLESSPC) were studied. T1 estimation accuracy, precision, reproducibility, and sensitivity to heart rate (HR), flip angle (FA), and acquisition scheme (AcS) variations were compared in simulation, phantom, and volunteer studies. RESULTS: T1 estimation accuracy of IG (-2.4% ± 3.9%) and original fit (-3.2% ± 1.4%) were worse than BLESSPC (0.2% ± 1.5%) and InSiL (-0.7% ± 2.1%). The original fit had the best precision for T1 from 409-1884 ms for the same FA (0.67% ± 0.16% versus 0.90% ± 0.23% using IG, 0.78% ± 0.11% using InSiL, 0.77% ± 0.12% using BLESSPC). BLESSPC generated the most consistent in vivo T1 values over different FAs and AcS, and the T1 estimation reproducibility was similar (P > 0.3) among the four methods when FA = 35°. When using FA = 50°, the reproducibility was significantly improved only when using BLESSPC (1.6% ± 0.9 versus 2.6% ± 1.9%, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: BLESSPC has superior accuracy and is the least sensitive to FA, HR, and AcS variations. T1 estimation using BLESSPC and FA = 50° is superior to conventional MOLLI with FA = 35° in accuracy and precision. Further clinical studies in varying pathological conditions are warranted to confirm our findings. Magn Reson Med 78:1746-1756, 2017.
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Shao et al. (2016) studied Myocardial T1 mapping. BLESSPC algorithm vs. Original fit, IG fit, and InSiL algorithms was evaluated on T1 estimation accuracy. The BLESSPC algorithm demonstrated superior T1 estimation accuracy (0.2% ± 1.5%) compared to original fit (-3.2% ± 1.4%) and was least sensitive to flip angle, heart rate, and acquisition scheme.
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