Using a local low rank plus sparse reconstruction to accelerate dynamic hyperpolarized ¹³C imaging using the bSSFP sequence

Acceleration of dynamic 2D (T₂ Mapping) and 3D hyperpolarized ¹³C MRI acquisitions using the balanced steady-state free precession sequence was achieved with a specialized reconstruction method, based on the combination of low rank plus sparse and local low rank reconstructions. Methods were validated using both retrospectively and prospectively undersampled in vivo data from normal rats and tumor-bearing mice. Four-fold acceleration of 1–2 mm isotropic 3D dynamic acquisitions with 2–5 s temporal resolution and two-fold acceleration of 0.25–1 mm² 2D dynamic acquisitions was achieved. This enabled visualization of the biodistribution of [2-¹³C]pyruvate, [1-¹³C]lactate, [¹³C, ¹⁵N₂]urea, and HP001 within heart, kidneys, vasculature, and tumor, as well as calculation of high resolution T₂ maps.