Myocardial native T1 mapping at 3T cardiac magnetic resonance–closing the full-vendor reporting cycle of normal values

Abstract

Cardiac magnetic resonance is currently an indispensable tool in the diagnosis of cardiac pathologies, with mapping techniques being one of the most recent advances in this area. T1 mapping is a robust tool that uses the T1 magnetic relaxation time as a quantitative marker of myocardial tissue composition. However, multiple T1 mapping sequences are used, and data comparing them, especially on different vendors, is limited. This study aims to determine the T1 relaxation values in the cardiac muscle of healthy individuals using GE's Discovery 3T scanner, allowing the use of the T1 mapping technique in patients on a sustained basis. Thirty-one healthy volunteers were submitted to T1 mapping at 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) equipment, with 3 being excluded from the analysis (54% women; mean age: 39.2±13.9 years). The MOLLI 5(3)3 sequence was used, acquiring one short axis slice at midventricular level. Native T1 values were presented as means (± standard deviation), and t-student independent samples tests evaluated gender differences in T1 values. The results show an average global native T1 value of 1193±39 ms, with women's values being statistically higher than men (1211±40 vs 1173±27 ms, respectively, p<0.006). Gender remained the only determinant of native T1 times on a multiple linear regression model that included age, ejection fraction, and T2 status. This study has established one of the few native T1 values for a 3T GE Discovery scanner that are on par with those already reported by other vendors for a similar sequence, closing the circle in full-vendor reporting.