Myocardial Tissue Characterization: Histological and Pathophysiological Correlation

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) has become the gold standard not only for cardiac volume and function quantification, but for a key unique strength: non-invasive myocardial tissue characterization. Several different techniques, separately or in combination, can detect and quantify early and established myocardial pathological processes permitting better diagnosis, prognostication and tracking of therapy. The authors will focus on the histological and pathophysiological evidence of these imaging parameters in the characterization of edema, infarction, scar and fibrosis. In addition to laying out the strengths and weaknesses of each modality, the reader will be introduced to rapid developments in T1 and T2 mapping as well as the use of contrast-derived extracellular volume for quantification of diffuse fibrosis.