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Cardiac MRI T1/T2 Mapping for Infiltrative Cardiomyopathies

Quantitative tissue characterization for amyloidosis, Fabry disease, iron overload and myocarditis.

Written by: Saygı Hospital Health Guide Editorial Board
Last updated:

This content has been compiled by the Saygı Hospital Health Guide Editorial Board and is periodically reviewed by a specialist physician.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. You can book an appointment at our Radyoloji department. Book Appointment →

What is Cardiac MRI T1/T2 Mapping for Infiltrative Cardiomyopathies?

T1 and T2 mapping are advanced cardiac MRI techniques that quantify myocardial tissue relaxation times on a pixel-by-pixel basis. Native T1 and T2 are sensitive to water content, whereas extracellular volume (ECV) calculated from pre- and post-contrast T1 mapping reflects interstitial expansion.

These quantitative biomarkers detect early infiltrative cardiomyopathies that are missed by conventional late gadolinium enhancement, including cardiac amyloidosis (very high native T1, ECV >40-60%), Fabry disease (low native T1 from sphingolipid storage), iron overload (very low T2*), acute myocarditis (high T1, T2 and ECV) and diffuse fibrosis.

Mapping has become a guideline-recommended modality for diagnosing infiltrative diseases, monitoring chemotherapy cardiotoxicity, assessing transplant rejection and stratifying risk in cardiomyopathy.

Symptoms

Unexplained heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
Restrictive physiology on echocardiography
Suspected cardiac amyloidosis (low ECG voltage with thick walls)
Suspected Fabry disease (sphingolipid storage)
Iron overload from transfusion or hemochromatosis
Acute or chronic myocarditis
Cardiotoxicity from anthracyclines or trastuzumab
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy phenotype with red flags

Risk Factors

Suspected cardiac amyloidosis
Family history of Fabry or amyloidosis
Chronic transfusion or hemochromatosis
Recent suspected viral myocarditis
Cancer therapy with cardiotoxic agents
Heart transplant rejection surveillance
Sarcoidosis with cardiac symptoms
Unexplained left ventricular hypertrophy

When to See a Doctor?

If you experience any of the following symptoms, seek medical attention promptly:

  • Heart failure with preserved EF and abnormal ECG
  • Family history of inherited cardiomyopathy
  • Suspected cardiac amyloidosis or Fabry disease
  • Need to monitor cardiotoxic chemotherapy
  • Suspected acute myocarditis
  • Iron overload assessment in chronic transfusion

Treatment Methods

01
Standardized 1.5T or 3T cardiac MRI protocol
02
Native T1 mapping (MOLLI, ShMOLLI, SASHA sequences)
03
Post-contrast T1 mapping for ECV calculation
04
T2 mapping for edema detection
05
T2* mapping for iron quantification
06
Reporting alongside late gadolinium enhancement
07
Reference center expertise for interpretation
08
Serial monitoring during disease-modifying therapy

Which Department to Visit?

You can visit our Radyoloji department for these complaints. Our specialist physicians will create the most suitable treatment plan for you.

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Health Disclaimer: The information on this page is prepared for general informational purposes only. It does not replace medical diagnosis and treatment. Please consult your physician for your complaints. Saygı Hospital does not accept responsibility for actions taken based on the information on this page.