Effect of protein binding substances on T1 times and the partition coefficient in contrast-enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance imaging

Background Diffuse myocardial fibrosis is present in several cardiomyopathies. Contrast enhanced cardiac MR with T1 mapping enables quantification of diffuse fibrosis. T1 mapping is technically demanding since technical, physiological, and biochemical factors can interfere with T1 measurements. Contrast material dose, relaxivity, biodistribution, clearance, interaction with plasma proteins, and interference with co-medication must be taken into consideration. Gadobenate dimeglumine (GdBOPTA) has some weak protein binding capacities and higher molar relaxivity in plasma/blood resulting in shorter T1 times as compared to other extracellular gadolinium based contrast agents. To date it has not been assessed whether co-medication with other protein binding drugs alter myocardial T1 time. Therefore the aim of this study was to evaluate the interference of a typical protein binding drug (Ibuprofen) with GdBOPTA with respect to T1 times in vitro and in vivo.