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Published on: July 19, 2013
T1 Mapping in Characterizing Myocardial Disease: A Comprehensive Review
Valentina O Puntmann1, Elif Peker1, Y Chandrashekhar1
1From the Institute for Experimental and Translational Cardiovascular Imaging, DZHK Centre for Cardiovascular Imaging (V.O.P., E.P., E.N.) and Department of Cardiology (V.O.P., E.N.), Goethe University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Department of Radiology, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey (E.P.); and University of Minnesota and VA Medical Centre, Minneapolis (Y.C.).
T1 mapping is a novel cardiovascular magnetic resonance technique that detects diffuse myocardial diseases missed by traditional late gadolinium enhancement. This method quanties myocardial tissue properties, aiding early diagnosis and disease monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Imaging
- Medical Physics
- Cardiac MRI
Background:
- Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) offers noninvasive myocardial assessment.
- Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) excels at regional scar detection but struggles with diffuse disease.
- Diffuse myocardial pathologies like inflammation, fibrosis, and infiltration are challenging for LGE.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce T1 mapping as a novel CMR technique for diagnosing diffuse myocardial diseases.
- To highlight T1 mapping's ability to quantify intrinsic myocardial tissue properties and extracellular volume.
- To discuss the clinical utility, technical aspects, and evidence supporting T1 mapping in CMR.
Main Methods:
- T1 mapping measures intrinsic T1 values of myocardial tissue.
- Calculations of extracellular volume fraction (ECV) from T1 mapping data.
- Review of clinical evidence and technical considerations for T1 mapping acquisition and processing.
Main Results:
- T1 mapping directly measures myocardial T1 values, reflecting diffuse tissue changes.
- T1 mapping enables quantification of extracellular volume fraction.
- Evidence supports T1 mapping's role in detecting early-stage diffuse myocardial disease.
Conclusions:
- T1 mapping is a valuable tool for diagnosing diffuse myocardial conditions, complementing LGE.
- It offers quantifiable measures for disease grading, monitoring, and treatment guidance.
- T1 mapping shows potential as a fast, contrast-free clinical application in cardiac MRI.
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