a) The coefficient of variation in the LV cavity and myocardium averaged for all T2-prep times (40, 60, and 80 ms) in 4 subjects decreased with increasing number of refocusing pulses (p<0.0001 for both). b) Typical images from one volunteer (T2-prep time was 60 ms). With 1 refocusing pulse, there are significant artifacts due to motion and flow in the left and right ventricular cavities (red arrows point to signal voids). Signal void artifacts are mostly gone with 2 refocusing pulses, but the overall signal intensity is low and banding is still seen (yellow arrow). With 4 refocusing pulses, LV cavity signal is bright and homogeneous, and the myocardium is uniform.