Myocardial Microstructural Characterization in Patients with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy by In Vivo Cardiac Diffusion Tensor Imaging

Motivation: The non-invasive imaging evaluation of myocyte disarray in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is still challenging. Goal(s): We aimed to explore the myocardial microstructural characteristics of HCM by in-vivo cardiac diffusion tensor imaging (cDTI). Approach: We prospectively enrolled thirty-five HCM patients and fifteen healthy controls for cDTI at 3.0T scanner. Results: Myocardial disarray and abnormal microstructural dynamics of HCM can be characterized by in vivo cDTI. Moreover, cDTI allows early identification of myocardial microstructural changes, even before cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) signs of fibrosis and hypertrophy. Impact: Our findings shed light on the potential of cDTI for the early detection of myocyte disarray, further improving the value of CMR in the non-invasive myocardial tissue characterization of HCM.