Which of the following methods can reduce patient heating during an MRI procedure?

Decreasing the flip angle can effectively reduce patient heating during an MRI procedure. The flip angle refers to the angle at which the magnetization vector is tipped away from its equilibrium position in the presence of the magnetic field. When the flip angle is reduced, the RF (radiofrequency) energy deposited into the patient is minimized, leading to less energy absorption and, consequently, less heat generation in the tissues.

This method is particularly valuable in managing excess heating because high levels of RF energy absorption can contribute to thermal injury, especially in patients with certain conditions or those undergoing longer scans. By decreasing the flip angle, clinicians can achieve a safer imaging protocol while still obtaining sufficient image quality for diagnostic purposes.

In contrast, increasing the field of view primarily affects image resolution and coverage rather than directly impacting heating. Reducing the number of slices may shorten the duration of the exposure, but it does not inherently lessen the heating from RF energy. Decreasing receiving bandwidth can result in higher signal-to-noise ratios but may also not significantly alter the patient heating due to resistance to RF absorption. These alternatives do not directly address the mechanism of RF-induced heating as effectively as adjusting the flip angle does.