Comparison of the Transverse Relaxation Time of the Left Ventricle during the Mid-Diastolic Rest & the End-systolic Rest Periods

Brice Fernandez^1,2, Maelene Lohezic^1,2, Lucien Hammen^2,3, Jean-Marie Escany^4,5, Damien Mandry^2,4, Jacques Felblinger^2,6, Pierre-Andr Vuissoz^2,3

Measurement of the transverse relaxation time T2 of the myocardium, which is a useful quantity to detect different cardiac diseases such as heart transplant rejection, is usually performed at mid-diastole. Imaging the LV at end-systole could be helpful as the LV wall is thicker and as the end-systolic rest, when the heart is still, lasts longer than the mid-diastolic one when heart rate is above 85 bpm. In this preliminary study, T2 differences during these two specific periods are investigated. No significant T2 differences were found, indicating that end-systolic rest period could be used for myocardium T2 quantification.