Only key data points acquired
Thanks to the new technology, fewer data points are needed in order to provide the radiologist with images of diagnostic quality. With the help of iterative reconstruction, high-resolution, high-quality images can be reconstructed – with no image information loss in the process. Additionally, the efficient inline reconstruction algorithm allows high clinical throughput. The acquired data is calculated directly at the scanner, requiring no export or external processing of the acquired data.

In cardiac imaging, Compressed Sensing Cardiac Cine takes full advantage of this algorithm: Rather than having to hold their breath 10 to 14 times, which can take roughly six minutes due to regenerative breaks during the scan, patients can breathe freely – as a result the acquisition roughly takes 25 seconds. To accurately assess additional quantitative information, such as ejection fraction, only a single breath hold is needed. Motion artifacts caused by breathing and heartbeats are effectively avoided. This is particularly beneficial for older and critically ill patients who are unable to hold their breath during the examination.
MRI for patients with cardiac arrhythmias
With the high speed of Compressed Sensing Cardiac Cine, cardiac MRI has become accessible for entirely new patient groups, including those with cardiac arrhythmias. In the past, Cardiac MRI scans were never an option for these patients due to the low diagnostic quality of the images. This is no longer the case with the new application, as users can testify: "Since 38 percent of my patients suffer from arrhythmias, ten percent of which have atrial fibrillation, I use Compressed Sensing Cardiac Cine regularly," says Dr. Christoph Tillmans3 from the diagnostikum Berlin clinic. "In patients with suspected constructive pericarditis, I'd like to visualize the movement of the cardiac septum as they breathe freely. And here Compressed Sensing Cardiac Cine provides me with diagnostic imaging quality," he emphasizes.

Thanks to adaptive triggering, the entire cardiac cycle – including diagnostic information about the late diastolic phase – can now be recorded in real time with only one breath-hold. As scientific studies have shown, Compressed Sensing Cardiac Cine also offers excellent visualization and quantification of the left ventricle function.

Taking the example of a single ventricular heart, a birth defect, Dr. François Pontana4 of the University Hospital of Lille, France, draws the following conclusion: "The most important advantage of Compressed Sensing Cardiac Cine is that we can visualize the complete contraction of the heart chamber, of volumes and the ejection fraction, with only one breath-hold. It is particularly helpful in this case since the patients find it difficult to hold their breath. When monitoring patients undergoing treatment, this key benefit is hugely significant and clinically relevant."

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