Fabry Cardiomyopathy: Identification of Early Myocardial Structural and Tissue Abnormalities Using Multiparametric MRI

Fabry disease is an inherited disorder that affects many organs in the body, including the heart. Men and women are both affected, with average life expectancy reduced by 10-20 years. The heart muscle can become thick and scarred in over half of patients, eventually resulting in heart failure, abnormal rhythm and death. The focus of this study will be on improving the detection of early heart disease before irreversible damage has occurred in order to improve patient outcomes.

It is hypothesized that new cardiac MRI techniques called T1 and T2 mapping will improve the ability to detect early abnormalities in the heart. Early detection of cardiac disease may enable a personalized treatment approach, potentially improving patient outcomes. The results of the study will identify which patients might benefit from early initiation of treatment to prevent bad outcomes in the future by using cardiac MRI to identify those at higher risk.