Fig. 3

Pulse sequence comparisons in a healthy subject. A 2D bSSFP. B 3D uSSFP, flip angle = 22°. C 3D uSSFP, flip angle = 11°. D 3D uSSFP, flip angle = 6°. E 3D uSSFP, ungated. F 3D uSSFP, systolic gated. G 3D uSSFP, gradient spoiler factor = 1.0. H 3D uSSFP, no dummy radiofrequency (RF) pulses. Note that B–F were acquired with a gradient spoiler factor = 0.2 and 60 dummy RF pulses using a constant flip angle of 22°, the same flip angle as used for the RF excitation. With systolic gating or an increased gradient spoiler factor, signal loss due to transmitted cardiac pulsations is apparent in the left lobe of the liver (arrows)