The Additional Value of T1 Mapping in Cardiac Disease: State of the Art

Abstract

Purpose of the Review: This paper delves into the emerging realm of T1 mapping, exploring recent innovations and their relevance across several cardiac diseases. Recent Findings: T1 mapping with cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging has emerged as a valuable tool for cardiac disease evaluation, offering diagnostic, therapeutic, and prognostic insights. Tissue characterization using parametric mapping methods holds the promise of identifying and quantifying both focal and diffuse changes in myocardial structure, which cannot be adequately assessed through late gadolinium enhancement (LGE). Summary: CMR imaging, particularly LGE, has enhanced cardiac tissue characterization. However, the detection of diffuse interstitial fibrosis remains challenging, necessitating the exploration of alternative techniques. T1 mapping could probably represent a game changer in the evaluation of diffuse and focal fibrosis in multiple cardiovascular conditions.