Travelling Volunteers Comparison of T1-Mapping at 3 Tesla CMR of 3 different vendors

Abstract

Background: T1-mapping is a key feature of tissue characterization in Cardiac Magnetic Resonance imaging. T1 mapping allows quantification of myocardial tissue properties and therefore plays an important role in the diagnostic of cardiomyopathies. It can be used even without application of contrast medium [1]. Technical aspects such as field strength and imaging protocol influence T1-mapping results [2]. This work evaluates equivalence of T1-times in T1 -mapping of scanner from different vendors with the same field strength. Methods: 15 healthy volunteers (8 female, mean age 24 years and 7 male, mean age 26 years) underwent three MR-scans at 3 Tesla cardiac MRI of three different vendors (A: MAGNETOM Verio syngo MR B17, Siemens Healthineers, Germany; B: Ingenia, Philips, The Netherlands; C: SIGNA Architect, GE Healthcare, USA) between December 2017 and May 2018. CMR protocol included standard product T1-mapping in one midventricular short axis. Images were analyzed using Circle Cardiovascular Imaging: cmr 42 ® (Protoype) version 5.9.2., Calgary, Canada. Scanner A and B provided scanner generated maps. For scanner C, inversion recovery images were registered (Feature based registration) for motion correction and maps were created by cmr 42 ® software. Endo- and epicardial borders were delineated for measurement of mean T1-time according to our standard operation procedures. The equivalence limits for the declaration of equivalence were determined previously and are located between -24,5 – 24,5 ms for T1-time [3]. The 90% confidence intervals of a paired t-test were compared with the equivalence limits to evaluate equivalence. Results: Fifteen T1-maps were available for scanner A, 12 for scanner B and 13 for scanner C. All available images could be analyzed. Global Mean T1-time was 1170 ± 35 ms for scanner A, 1237 ± 39 ms for scanner B and 1409 ± 116 ms for scanner C. Septal mean T1-time was 1176 ± 34 ms [...].