AUTHOR=Hamilton-Craig Christian R. , Strudwick Mark W. , Galloway Graham J. 

TITLE=T1 Mapping for Myocardial Fibrosis by Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Relaxometry—A Comprehensive Technical Review

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine

VOLUME=3

YEAR=2017

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cardiovascular-medicine/articles/10.3389/fcvm.2016.00049

DOI=10.3389/fcvm.2016.00049

ISSN=2297-055X

ABSTRACT=<p>Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging has been widely used to assess myocardial perfusion and scar and is the non-invasive gold standard for identification of focal myocardial fibrosis. However, the late gadolinium enhancement technique is limited in its accuracy for absolute quantification and assessment of diffuse myocardial fibrosis by technical and pathophysiological features. CMR relaxometry, incorporating <italic>T</italic><sub>1</sub> mapping, has emerged as an accurate, reproducible, highly sensitive, and quantitative technique for the assessment of diffuse myocardial fibrosis in a number of disease states. We comprehensively review the physics behind CMR relaxometry, the evidence base, and the clinical applications of this emerging technique.</p>