T1 mapping across the ejection fraction spectrum

Methods 242 consecutive consenting patients referred for CMR between December 2014 and June 2015 were scanned on a 1.5T Magnetom Avanto (Siemens Healthcare, Erlangen) using a MOLLI (WIP#448, 5:3:3 acquisition scheme, motion correction and automatically generated T1 map). In all cases on the basal short axis slice, a single, slender ROI was placed in the mid wall of the septum with meticulous attention to avoid partial volume of blood/and or scar areas to derive the native T1 in msec. The patients were grouped by ejection fraction: <45%, 45-55% and >55%. 15 healthy volunteers were also used as a control group. Ejection fraction (EF), LV volumes, LV mass and BSA indexed left atrial area (LAAi) were also acquired. Comparison was performed using ANOVA and linear regression with adjustment for demographic variables that were found to vary between groups (age and BSAi LV mass).