Considerations for hyperpolarized 13C MR at reduced field: Comparing 1.5T versus 3T

Abstract

Purpose: In contrast to conventional MR, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is not linearly dependent on field strength in hyperpolarized MR, as polarization is generated outside the MR system. Moreover, field inhomogeneity-induced artifacts and other practical limitations associated with field strengths (Formula presented.) 3T are alleviated at lower fields. The potential of hyperpolarized (Formula presented.) C spectroscopy and imaging at 1.5T versus 3T is demonstrated in silico, in vitro, and in vivo for applications on clinical MR systems. Theory and Methods: Theoretical noise and SNR behavior at different field strengths are investigated based on simulations. A thorough field comparison between 1.5T and 3T is performed using thermal and hyperpolarized (Formula presented.) C spectroscopy and imaging. Cardiac in vivo data is obtained in pigs using hyperpolarized [1- (Formula presented.) C]pyruvate spectroscopy and imaging at 1.5T and 3T. Results: Based on theoretical considerations and simulations, the SNR of hyperpolarized MR at identical acquisition bandwidths is independent of the field strength for typical coil setups, while adaptively changing the acquisition bandwidth proportional to the static magnetic field allows for net SNR gains of up to 40% at 1.5T compared to 3T. In vitro (Formula presented.) C data verified these considerations with less than 7% deviation. In vivo feasibility of hyperpolarized [1- (Formula presented.) C]pyruvate dynamic metabolic spectroscopy and imaging at 1.5T is demonstrated in the pig heart with comparable SNR between 1.5T and 3T while B (Formula presented.) artifacts are noticeably reduced at 1.5T. Conclusion: Hyperpolarized (Formula presented.) C MR at lower field strengths is favorable in terms of SNR and off-resonance effects, which makes 1.5T a promising alternative to 3T, especially for clinical cardiac metabolic imaging.