Aims and objectives
Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) techniques that allow for quantitative tissue characterization of the myocardium are increasingly important for adequate diagnosis and treatment monitoring.
Normal values of T1,
T2 and T2* relaxation times are well established for 1.5T scanners. However,
scanner-specific reference ranges are required for 3T, due to lack of universal reference values for a given sequence type.
Methods and materials
Fourty-nine healthy volunteers ( 35,3±11,6 yrs,
23 males) underwent a CMR protocol including T1,
T2 and T2* mapping at a 3T scanner (Philips Achieva TX). Modified Look Locker Inversion recovery (MOLLI) ,
mGraSE and mTFE,
were the sequence types used for T1 , T2 and T2* quantification,
respectively.
To assess myocardial T1,T2 and T2* times,
an optimal (artefact-free) region of interest was drawn in a mid-ventricular short axis slice,
(avoiding partial volume effect) by two independent observers blinded to each other’s results.
Results
Values of T1,
T2 and T2* relaxation times are presented in table 1.
Sex-related differences of the T1 values were observed.
High inter-observer agreement was demonstrated (ICC>0,9 for T1,
ICC>0,88 for T2,
ICC>0,94 for T2*). Panels A,B,C of Figure 1 illustrate typical ROIs for T1,
T2 and T2* values,
respectively.
Conclusion
Myocardial T1,
T2 and T2* values from healthy volunteers for a specific 3T CMR setting are provided for comparisons with reference values from other 3T scanners using the same sequence types.
Good inter-observer agreement was demonstrated. Sex-related differences of the T1 values were confirmed.
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Value of
black...