Essentials on Mapping

Imaging technique Christian Lücke, Leipzig/DE Description Quantitative tissue characterization i.e. native T1, ECV-, T2- and T2*-Mapping or Relaxometry has been one of the major improvements in Cardiac MRI in the last years. Especially in patients with myocarditis or storage diseases it can help in finding the diagnosis or even quantify disease burden. It works as an addition to classical sequences and is an improvement to semiquantitative classical sequences. Due to its quantitative nature it relies on normal values and changing the sequence acquisition parameters may alter obtained values. In this presentation the clinically important technical aspects of this method will be discussed and possible pitfalls highlighted. In this talk I will give recommendations and show resources to establish this technique in the daily clinical routine and show how the acquired data is evaluated, leading to a final diagnosis. Clinical applications Jan Bogaert, Leuven/BE Description Myocardial mapping using MR relaxometry has become an essential part of a comprehensive cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) exam. Whereas the traditional ‘weighted’ (T1/T2/LGE) sequences provide a qualitative assessment of myocardial diseases, they face several shortcomings. In contrast, the mapping techniques allow assessment of T1/T2 and T2* relaxation times at a pixel level. From a clinical point of view, in this presentation different clinical scenarios are briefly discussed. These scenarios highlight the added value of myocardial mapping. Also recommendations are provided towards an optimized use of myocardial mapping in daily clinical practice.