Comparison of Non-invasive Assessment of Cardiac Fibrosis by MRI Derived T1-Mapping and Ventricular Intrinsic Diastolic Function by Pressure-volume-analysis in Patients With Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction

Heart Failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and diastolic dysfunction is a growing medical challenge. To date almost every second patient with heart failure has a preserved ejection fraction and recent data show that outcomes in these patients are as bad as in those with reduced ejection fraction. In clinical routine the diagnosis of HFpEF is complicated by indirect assessment of diastolic function. Mechanistically the diastolic dysfunction is among others believed to be caused by the development of diffuse myocardial fibrosis with an increase of extracellular matrix.

Direct assessment of the intrinsic diastolic function and stiffness of the ventricle can be obtained by pressure-volume-curve tracings through a conductance catheter. Although this offers the benefit of assessing load-dependent and load-independent parameters of diastolic function as well as information on contractility and ventricular-arterial coupling, the use of this technique is limited by its invasiveness in daily care.

Newer MRI techniques have made it possible to quantify not only local fibrosis but also diffuse fibrosis (i.e. T1-Mapping) and determine extracellular volumes.

Moreover, the role of right ventricular function is in HFpEF is not well defined.

Aim of the current study is therefore to evaluate the role of MRI in assessing cardiac fibrosis in the context of impaired LV diastolic function in HFpEF patients, as well as to evaluate the role of systolic and diastolic right ventricular functional impairment in this patient cohort.