T1 IN MYOCARDITIS · High-resolution T1 mapping for the assessment of acute myocarditis
FP6 — Marie Curie Actions (Human Resources and Mobility)
- Duration
- 2005-01-01 → 2005-12-31
- EU contribution
- €40,000
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- ERG
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Results in brief
Final Activity Report Summary - T1 IN MYOCARDITIS (High-resolution T1 mapping for the assessment of acute myocarditis)
This project served to transform a novel quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique for the assessment of diseases of the heart muscle into a push-button tool for clinical applications, and to test its value in the assessment of inflammatory heart disease. The new technique called 'modified Look-Locker inversion recovery' (MOLLI) has been developed by the fellow during his previous Marie Curie Individual Fellowship at the University of Leeds, UK. In contrast to conventional MRI methods, MOLLI provides objective values of the longitudinal relaxation time T1 of the heart with high spatial resolution. Upon return to his initial research site, the MOLLI technique was now integrated into a routine clinical MRI system using its standard graphical user interface (GUI) in co-operation with MRI physicists of the manufacturer. The accuracy of the T1 values achieved with the new implementation was tested and optimized in-vitro in gadolinium-doped gel phantoms. The normal range of T1 values in human heart muscle was assessed in 20 healthy volunteers. There was an improvement in T1 accuracy as compared to the original version of the technique, which meant that further corrections for an influence of varying heart rate could be avoided. The technique was then applied to patients with different heart diseases including myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle caused by viral disease). T1 patterns of patients with myocarditis were different from those with myocardial infarction (heart attack) or cardiac amyloidosis (storage of pathologic proteins in the heart).
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
Acute myocarditis is an important cause of heart failure and potentially lethal arrhythmias. Recently proposed therapeutic strategies for patients with acute myocarditis are based on a three-stage concept of the disease and require clear identification of the given stage of the disease. One of the principal features of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is its ability to visualize the magnetic properties of soft tissues, which are characteristic for a given tissue in a given state. Among these magnetic prope rties, the longitudinal or spin-lattice relaxation time (T1) is of particular interest. T1 is not only increased by the presence of water as seen in inflammatory oedema, but is also sensitive to the concentration of Gadolinium-based contrast medium, which can be applied to identify pathologic uptake in diseased tissue. T1 mapping is an MRI method which is able not only to visualize changes in T1, but also to quantify them. This is an important development when comparing data from different patients. In the course of his Marie Curie fellowship project, the proposer of this application, together with the host institution of the fellowship, has developed a novel technique (Modified Look-Locker Inversion Recovery, MOLLI), which for the first time allows accurat e high-resolution T1 mapping of the human heart on a clinical MR system. There is evidence that the novel MOLLI technique might be able to detect and quantify myocardial inflammation. In the proposed project, the MOLLI technique will be implemented and opt imized at the reintegration host institution, and the diagnostic value of MOLLI for the detection and monitoring of acute myocarditis will be investigated by performing serial MRI scans in patients with acute myocarditis and in control groups. The aim of t his project is to establish MOLLI as a diagnostic tool for the non-invasive monitoring of myocardial inflammation in acute myocarditis.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- FRANZ-VOLHARD-KLINIK, CHARITÉ CAMPUS BUCH, UNIVERSITÄTSMEDIZIN BERLIN · BERLINCoordinatorCity levelGermany
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union