(FAIR) In this
sequence 2
inversion recovery images are acquired, one with a nonselective and the other with a
slice selective
inversion pulse. The z-magnetization in the first
sequence is independent of
flow. Inflowing spins give z-magnetization from
second pulse.
A major signal loss in FAIR is the
T1 relaxation of tagged blood in transit to the imaging
slice. Sharper edges of the
inversion pulse give narrow spacing between the
inversion edge and the 1st
slice because reduced transit time gives lower
T1 relaxation induced signal loss.
The difference of the images in a con
sequence contains information proportional to
flow (blood partition coefficient). Standard
adiabatic inversion RF pulse does not have good slice-profile, because of power/SAR limitation. A c-shaped
frequency offset corrected
inversion (FOCI)
RF pulse can help to increase the signal.
Perfusion imaging, e.g. myocardial, using tissue water as endogenous
contrast is suggested.