In the present study, we systematically compared
myocardial tissue characterization by Gd-based techniques with intrinsic T1/T2
mapping and their correlation with local cardiac function after experimental myocardial
infarction (MI). We found that pre-contrast T1 mapping with variable flip
angle analysis carried out 1 day after MI predicts the functional outcome after
21 days at least as reliable as LGE. Compared to the latter technique providing
plain signal enhancement, the current approach determines quantitative maps
with a large dynamic range, which may pave the way for reliable myocardial
tissue characterization without any CA.
