SNR and total acquisition time analysis of multi-echo FLASH pulse sequence for current density imaging

•ICNE-ME-FLASH is an efficient pulse sequence for MRCDI.•An analysis is developed to optimize SNR and total acquisition time (TAT) in MRCDI.•Different sets of parameters are provided to acquire B∼z images with the same SNR and TAT.•The effects of intensive utilization of the gradients in MRCDI is investigated.•The effects of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) flow in MRCDI experiments is investigated.