Tissue characterization of the myocardium

Cardiac tissue characterization is a term for an approach in cardiac imaging used for the evaluation of the myocardial tissue in respect to its inherent properties as opposed to cardiac function e.g. in cine or strain imaging.

In cardiac magnetic resonance imaging it typically comprises the use of some of the following imaging techniques for the assessment of different myocardial tissue properties and varies depending on the indication and the clinical question:

• T2-weighted imaging/STIR
• T1 mapping – native and postcontrast
• T2 mapping
• T2* mapping
• early gadolinium enhancement (MVO, cardiac thrombus formation, area at risk)
• late gadolinium enhancement (myocardial scar tissue, infarct size) 
• diffusion-weighted imaging (not widely used in clinical routine as yet)
• MR fingerprinting (MRF)

See also

• myocardial mapping
• late gadolinium enhancement
• cardiac function