Evaluation of a free-breathing myocardial T1 mapping using magnetization-prepared slice interleaved spoiled gradient echo imaging in patient

Background Quantitative myocardial T1 mapping shows promise for assessment of various cardiomyopathies. Most available sequences are generally acquired within a breath-hold using a balanced SSFP (bSSFP) imaging readout. However, the signal obtained from a bSSFP imaging readout is T2 dependent, sensitive to magnetization transfer and has increased susceptibility to the B0 field inhomogeneity leading to regional variations in T1 estimates (1). Recently, we developed a novel T1 mapping sequence for free-breathing, multi-slice, myocardial T1 mapping using a slice-interleaved T1 sequence with spoiled gradient echo (GRE) imaging readout. However, the feasibility of this sequence in patient has not yet been studied. In this study, we sought to demonstrate the feasibility of this sequence in patients and its ability to detect abnormal T1 times.