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Correlation of native T1 mapping with right ventricular function and pulmonary haemodynamics in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension before and after balloon pulmonary angioplasty

European Radiology volume 29, pages 1565–1573 (2019)Cite this article

Abstract

Objectives

The aim of this study was to assess native T1 mapping in patients with inoperable chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) before and 6 months after balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) and compare the results with right heart function and pulmonary haemodynamics.

Methods

Magnetic resonance imaging at 1.5 T and right heart catheterisation were performed in 21 consecutive inoperable CTEPH patients before and 6 months after BPA. T1 values were measured within the septal myocardium, the upper and lower right ventricular insertion points, and the lateral wall at the basal short-axis section. In addition, the area-adjusted septal native T1 time (AA-T1) was calculated and compared with right ventricular function (RVEF), mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR).

Results

The mean AA-T1 value decreased significantly after BPA (1,045.8 ± 44.3 ms to 1,012.5 ± 50.4 ms; p < 0.001). Before BPA, native T1 values showed a moderate negative correlation with RVEF (r = -0.61; p = 0.0036) and moderate positive correlations with mPAP (r = 0.59; p < 0.01) and PVR (r = 0.53; p < 0.05); after BPA correlation trends were present (r = -0.21, r = 0.30 and r = 0.35, respectively).

Conclusions

Native T1 values in patients with inoperable CTEPH were significantly lower after BPA and showed significant correlations with RVEF and pulmonary haemodynamics before BPA. Native T1 mapping seems to be indicative of reverse myocardial tissue remodelling after BPA and might therefore have good potential for pre-procedural patient selection, non-invasive therapy monitoring and establishing a prognosis.

Key Points

• BPA is a promising treatment option for patients with inoperable CTEPH

• Native septal T1 values significantly decrease after BPA and show good correlations with right ventricular function and haemodynamics before BPA

• Prognosis and non-invasive therapy monitoring might be supported in the future by native T1 mapping

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Fig. 2

Abbreviations

AA-T1:

Area-adjusted native T1 time

BPA:

Balloon pulmonary angioplasty

CMR:

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging

CTEPH:

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension

EDD:

End-diastolic diameter

EDV:

End-diastolic volume

EF:

Ejection fraction

ESD:

End-systolic diameter

ESV:

End-systolic volume

LV:

Left ventricle

mPAP:

Mean pulmonary arterial pressure

PA:

Pulmonary artery

PEA:

Pulmonary endarterectomy

PH:

Pulmonary hypertension

PVR:

Pulmonary vascular resistance

RVEF:

Right ventricular function

RVIP:

Right ventricular insertion point

RV:

Right ventricle

SV:

Stroke volume

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Elizabeth Martinson, PhD, from the KHFI Editorial Office for her editorial assistance.

Funding

The authors state that this work has not received any funding.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Klinikstraße 33, 35392, Giessen, Germany

    F. C. Roller, A. Breithecker, C. Schneider & G. A. Krombach

  2. Department of Cardiology, Kerckhoff Heart and Thorax Centre, Bad Nauheim, Germany

    S. Kriechbaum, C. Liebetrau, M. Haas, A. Rolf & C. Hamm

  3. DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner site Rhein-Main, Frankfurt am Main, Germany

    S. Kriechbaum, C. Liebetrau, M. Haas, A. Rolf & C. Hamm

  4. Department of Thoracic Surgery, Kerckhoff Heart and Thorax Centre, Bad Nauheim, Germany

    S. Guth, E. Mayer & C. B. Wiedenroth

  5. Department of Cardiology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Klinikstraße 33, Giessen, Germany

    C. Liebetrau, A. Rolf & C. Hamm

Authors
  1. F. C. Roller
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  2. S. Kriechbaum
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  6. C. Schneider
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  7. A. Rolf
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  8. S. Guth
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  9. E. Mayer
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  11. G. A. Krombach
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  12. C. B. Wiedenroth
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to F. C. Roller.

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Guarantor

The scientific guarantor of this publication is Prof. Dr. Gabriele A. Krombach.

Conflict of interest

The authors of this manuscript declare no relationships with any companies, whose products or services may be related to the subject matter of the article.

Statistics and biometry

One of the authors has significant statistical expertise.

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Written informed consent was obtained from all subjects (patients) in this study.

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Institutional review board approval was obtained.

Methodology

• prospective

• prognostic study/observational/experimental

• performed at one institution

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Cite this article

Roller, F.C., Kriechbaum, S., Breithecker, A. et al. Correlation of native T1 mapping with right ventricular function and pulmonary haemodynamics in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension before and after balloon pulmonary angioplasty. Eur Radiol 29, 1565–1573 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-018-5702-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-018-5702-x

Keywords

  • Magnetic resonance imaging
  • Pulmonary hypertension
  • Pulmonary embolism
  • Angioplasty