Towards high-resolution fat-suppressed T1-mapping of atrial fibrosis in the left atrium: a fit-free three-point method

Background Atrial fibrosis identification by late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) CMR is important as a precursor to atrial fibrillation, and may impact the outcome of catheter ablation. However, the LGE enhancement in the thin atrial wall is difficult to accurately and reproducibly detect. We sought to improve identification of fibrosis through T1-mapping, generating an index of the extracellular volume fraction (ECV). In order to achieve high spatial resolution mapping for a narrow range of relevant T1-values (250-500ms) in a feasible scan time, we applied fit-free T1-mapping with only 3 TI values (3-pt). Preliminary data measuring the ECV of normal myocardium and the aortic valves—a thin fibrotic structure– are presented.