Optimal configuration of respiratory navigator gating for the quantification of left ventricular strain using spiral cine displacement encoding with stimulated echoes (DENSE) MRI

Purpose: To determine the optimal respiratory navigator gating configuration for the quantification of left ventricular strain using spiral cine displacement encoding with stimulated echoes (DENSE) MRI. Materials and Methods: Two-dimensional spiral cine DENSE was performed on a 3 Tesla MRI using two single-navigator configurations (retrospective, prospective) and a combined “dual-navigator” configuration in 10 healthy adults and 20 healthy children. The adults also underwent breathhold DENSE as a reference standard for comparisons. Peak left ventricular strains, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and navigator efficiency were compared. Subjects also underwent dual-navigator gating with and without visual feedback to determine the effect on navigator efficiency. Results: There were no differences in circumferential, radial, and longitudinal strains between navigator-gated and breathhold DENSE (P = 0.09–0.95) (as confidence intervals, retrospective: [-1.0%–1.1%], [-7.4%–2.0%], [-1.0%–1.2%]; prospective: [-0.6%–2.7%], [-2.8%–8.3%], [-0.3%–2.9%]; dual: [-1.6%–0.5%], [-8.3%–3.2%], [-0.8%–1.9%], respectively). The dual configuration maintained SNR compared with breathhold acquisitions (16 versus 18, P = 0.06). SNR for the prospective configuration was lower than for the dual navigator in adults (P = 0.004) and children (P < 0.001). Navigator efficiency was higher (P < 0.001) for both retrospective (54%) and prospective (56%) configurations compared with the dual configuration (35%). Visual feedback improved the dual configuration navigator efficiency to 55% (P < 0.001). Conclusion: When quantifying left ventricular strains using spiral cine DENSE MRI, a dual navigator configuration results in the highest SNR in adults and children. In adults, a retrospective configuration has good navigator efficiency without a substantial drop in SNR. Prospective gating should be avoided because it has the lowest SNR. Visual feedback represents an effective option to maintain navigator efficiency while using a dual navigator configuration. Level of Evidence: 2. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2017;45:786–794.