Simulation study of susceptibility gradients leading to focal myocardial signal loss

To assess the cause of a “bite”‐shaped signal void artifact often seen in 1.5 Tesla (T) and 3T gradient echo MR images in myocardium along the infero‐apical border of the heart, MRI simulation was used to conduct experiments impossible in reality. Two previous studies attempting to explain the origin of this artifact came to different conclusions. One suggested deoxygenated blood in the posterior vein of the left ventricle (PVLV) leads to a susceptibility gradient that causes the artifact. The other suggested the difference in susceptibility between lung tissue and myocardium was responsible. This study assessed the relative effect of each possible cause.

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