Myocardial Pre-contrast T1 at 3T Detects Progressive Changes in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Motivation: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) leads to pediatric cardiomyopathy. Pre-contrast T1 in DMD identifies myocardial remodeling, but it remains unclear if T1-Mapping biomarkers can detect longitudinal changes in DMD. Goal(s): The objective was to characterize progressive myocardial pre-contrast T1 changes in DMD at 3T. Approach: Boys with DMD and healthy controls underwent a 3T CMR exam that included standard functional and pre-contrast T1 mapping sequences. Boys with DMD were examined at two points (18 months apart). Results: Pre-contrast T1 was capable of detecting progressive changes in boys with DMD 18 months post baseline while functional metrics like LVEF did not. Impact: T1 Mapping biomarkers can detect disease progression in DMD. T1 Mapping biomarkers, in combination with biomarkers of function have the potential to track patient-specific changes.