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Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance

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Open Access 01-12-2013 | Research

Myocardial T₁ and T₂ mapping at 3 T: reference values, influencing factors and implications

Authors: Florian von Knobelsdorff-Brenkenhoff, Marcel Prothmann, Matthias A Dieringer, Ralf Wassmuth, Andreas Greiser, Carsten Schwenke, Thoralf Niendorf, Jeanette Schulz-Menger

Published in: Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance | Issue 1/2013

Abstract

Background

Myocardial T₁ and T₂ mapping using cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) are promising to improve tissue characterization and early disease detection. This study aimed at analyzing the feasibility of T₁ and T₂ mapping at 3 T and providing reference values.

Methods

Sixty healthy volunteers (30 males/females, each 20 from 20–39 years, 40–59 years, 60–80 years) underwent left-ventricular T₁ and T₂ mapping in 3 short-axis slices at 3 T. For T₂ mapping, 3 single-shot steady-state free precession (SSFP) images with different T₂ preparation times were acquired. For T₁ mapping, modified Look-Locker inversion recovery technique with 11 single shot SSFP images was used before and after injection of gadolinium contrast. T₁ and T₂ relaxation times were quantified for each slice and each myocardial segment.

Results

Mean T₂ and T₁ (pre-/post-contrast) times were: 44.1 ms/1157.1 ms/427.3 ms (base), 45.1 ms/1158.7 ms/411.2 ms (middle), 46.9 ms/1180.6 ms/399.7 ms (apex). T₂ and pre-contrast T₁ increased from base to apex, post-contrast T₁ decreased. Relevant inter-subject variability was apparent (scatter factor 1.08/1.05/1.11 for T₂/pre-contrast T₁/post-contrast T₁). T₂ and post-contrast T₁ were influenced by heart rate (p < 0.0001, p = 0.0020), pre-contrast T₁ by age (p < 0.0001). Inter- and intra-observer agreement of T₂ (r = 0.95; r = 0.95) and T₁ (r = 0.91; r = 0.93) were high. T₂ maps: 97.7% of all segments were diagnostic and 2.3% were excluded (susceptibility artifact). T₁ maps (pre-/post-contrast): 91.6%/93.9% were diagnostic, 8.4%/6.1% were excluded (predominantly susceptibility artifact 7.7%/3.2%).

Conclusions

Myocardial T₂ and T₁ reference values for the specific CMR setting are provided. The diagnostic impact of the high inter-subject variability of T₂ and T₁ relaxation times requires further investigation.

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Title: Myocardial T1 and T2 mapping at 3 T: reference values, influencing factors and implications
Authors: Florian von Knobelsdorff-Brenkenhoff
Marcel Prothmann
Matthias A Dieringer
Ralf Wassmuth
Andreas Greiser
Carsten Schwenke
Thoralf Niendorf
Jeanette Schulz-Menger
Publication date: 01-12-2013
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance / Issue 1/2013
Electronic ISSN: 1532-429X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1532-429X-15-53

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Springer Medicine

Myocardial T₁ and T₂ mapping at 3 T: reference values, influencing factors and implications

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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