Evaluation of right ventricular myocardial properties using systolic myocardial T1 mapping

Abstract

Abstract Background: Myocardial properties can be quantitatively evaluated using myocardial T1 values obtained using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. In terms of myocardial wall thickness, the left ventricular T1 value is easy to measure, but the right ventricular T1 value is difficult. Patients with congenital heart disease often develop right ventricular overload. We aimed to determine whether T1 mapping during systole can be used to evaluate right ventricular myocardial properties. Methods: T1 mapping was performed at diastole and systole, and the myocardial properties of both ventricles were evaluated in 13 healthy participants (21–26 years old) and 12 patients with right ventricular overload (12–41 years old) who underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imagingexamination at our hospital. Results: From analysis of left ventricular myocardial T1 values, we found that myocardial T1 values did not change significantly during the cardiac cycle. But, right ventricular T1 values changed between diastole and systole because the right ventricle is affected by blood. Although there was no difference in right ventricular diastolic myocardial T1 values between the patients and volunteers (1346.8 vs. 1347.6 msec, p=0.852), the right ventricular systolic myocardial T1 values was significantly higher in patients than in volunteers (1312.7 vs. 1233.8 msec, p=0.002). Conclusion: Systolic right ventricular myocardial T1 mapping allows assessment of right ventricular myocardial properties. The right ventricular myocardial systolic T1 value is useful for evaluating myocardial damage due to right ventricular stress and myocardial injury.