Pilot study to establish the myocardium native T1 mapping reference values in 1.5 Tesla cardiac magnetic resonance of healthy Malaysians

Abstract

Abstract Background Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is a powerful and robust imaging modality with the capability for tissue characterisation by quantifying the intrinsic magnetic properties of tissues. The current international consensus recommendation is to determine the local normal T1 mapping value. Recent advancement suggests pooled data or benchmarking of CMR mapping reference values. We present the adult myocardial native T1 mapping value of a common MR acquisition in healthy Malaysians who are predominantly brown skin Asians. Methods This is a prospective, cross-sectional study in a single centre. CMR was performed on a 1.5 T MR using 5(3s)3 MOLLI sequence with motion correction, TE = 1.31 ms, TR = 2.78 ms. The analysis of the mid-septal T1 value was done using third-party software (CVi42) and the OsiriX software by two blinded cardiac radiologists. Results A total of 51 eligible adults were recruited of which 1 was excluded due to incidental finding of moderate mitral regurgitation. The mean age was 30 years ± 7.0, the majority (64%) was female, the median heart rate was 72 ± 20 bpm and mean the BSA was 1.6 ± 0.1 m2. The ethnicity distribution is Malay 76%, Indian 12%, Chinese 8% and Sabahan 4%. The normal range for mid-septum myocardial T1 using CVi42 was 1012 ± 33 ms and using OsiriX was 1018 ± 37 ms. There is no correlation observed against gender, ethnicity and heart rate. The moderate correlation observed with age is not gender specified. The interobserver reliability was good (coefficient 0.813). Conclusions For T1 mapping to be applied clinically, it is imperative to determine the local normal value as recommended by international consensus. The first-ever database on native T1 mapping for 1.5 T CMR reference value for Malaysians who are predominantly brown skin Asians is provided in this pilot study.