Myocardial T1 mapping as a diagnostic tool in pediatric patients with a concern for cardiac disease

Background Myocardial tissue characterization with both native T1 mapping and T1 mapping following gadolinium based contrast agents (T1 enhanced) has emerged as an important asset of CMR imaging [1]. However, there is only minimal experience in pediatrics [2]. Native T1 has shown to be a marker of myocardial edema, and may play a role in pathologic states such as myocarditis [3]. T1 enhanced mapping has shown to be a useful biomarker for disease sates with diffuse fibrosis, such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), and is comparable to myocardial biopsy [4]. Purpose: To examine the effectiveness of CMR myocardial characterization by native T1 and T1 enhanced mapping in a heterogenous group of pediatric patients with signs concerning for cardiomyopathy or myocarditis.