Native T1 mapping and extracellular volume fraction measurement for assessment of right ventricular insertion point and septal fibrosis in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension

The aim of this study was to assess septal and right ventricular insertion point (RVIP) fibrosis in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) via native T1 mapping and extracellular volume fraction (ECV) determination and to analyze correlations with functional parameters. Imaging was performed at 1.5 Tesla in 24 patients diagnosed with CTEPH and 24 controls. T1 values were measured within the septal myocardium, the upper and lower RVIP, and the lateral wall at basal short axis section. The mean septal native T1 values were 1012.8 ms ± 50.5 in the CTEPH group and 956.9 ms ± 24.4 in controls (p