Cinematic imaging in a single heart cycle with echo planar imaging

Echo planar techniques allow acquisition of two-dimensional MR images in less than 100 msec. However, the experimental repetition rate is limited by T1. The MBEST variation of EPI uses low flip angles (typically less than 450) to optimize signal magnitude at high repetition rates. The authors have used MBEST to record up to ten 128 X 64-pixel images in a single cardiac cycle. MR imaging movie loops were obtained on normal and arrhythmic hearts without synchronization between cardiac morphology, dynamics, and blood flow. Movie loops of a single cardiac cycle in the fetus in utero have been obtained and are presented