Myocardial T1-mapping provides superior tissue characterization, while postcontrast T1-mapping remains indispensable for extracellular volume quantification.
Myocardial T1-mapping is a feasible and increasingly reliable technique for tissue characterization and extracellular volume quantification in cardiomyopathies.
Myocardial T1-mapping has become feasible over the past decade as emerging technological magnetic resonance imaging advances enable increasingly rapid and reliable acquisition techniques. A variety of T1-mapping sequences are in development, with most allowing for the acquisition of a single-slice T1-map in a single breath-hold. The development of these protocols has spurred investigation into a wide range of potential clinical uses, including the characterization of cardiomyopathies. Although native T1-mapping provides superior tissue characterization, postcontrast T1-mapping is still indispensable for extracellular volume quantification. Ongoing and future studies should investigate the reliability, reproducibility, accuracy, and precision of available techniques and establish disease-specific reference values for T1-mapping-based parameters.
Muscogiuri et al. (Tue,) conducted a review in Cardiomyopathies. Cardiac Magnetic Resonance T1-Mapping was evaluated. Myocardial T1-mapping provides superior tissue characterization, while postcontrast T1-mapping remains indispensable for extracellular volume quantification.