balanced SSFP sequence
Pronunciation: balanced S-S-F-P
Balanced steady-state free precession MRI sequence providing high signal-to-noise ratio and excellent blood-myocardium contrast.
Full Definition
Balanced steady-state free precession (bSSFP) is the standard cardiac MRI sequence for functional assessment, providing excellent contrast between blood and myocardium with high temporal resolution. Also known as TrueFISP, FIESTA, or balanced FFE, this sequence maintains steady-state magnetization by applying balanced gradients that rephase all motion. The technique yields bright blood signal and dark myocardium, making it ideal for evaluating cardiac function, wall motion, and chamber volumes. bSSFP sequences are susceptible to banding artifacts at high field strengths and in areas of magnetic field inhomogeneity, particularly around metallic implants or at tissue-air interfaces near the heart.
Usage
Usage note: Vendor-specific names (TrueFISP, FIESTA, balanced FFE) may be used interchangeably with bSSFP.
In Context
- "The balanced SSFP cine images demonstrated excellent endocardial border definition throughout the cardiac cycle." — Cardiac MRI report
- "Banding artifacts in the balanced SSFP sequence were minimized by adjusting the shimming parameters." — Technical optimization note