M0 and T1 mapping for differentiation of perfusion defects in patients with CTEPH and CTED.

Identifying the cause of lung perfusion defects is vital for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) or chronic thromboembolic disease (CTED) diagnosis. 30 patients with suspected CTEPH underwent Look-Locker M0 and T₁ mapping, 16/30 were diagnosed with CTEPH or CTED. Co-registered peak perfusion maps were used to identify perfusion defects. T₁ was significantly lower in perfusion defects in all patients. Patients with CTEPH or CTED had significantly lower M0 in non-perfused lung, whereas control patients did not have significantly differences between perfused and non-perfused lung. Lung M0 maps may allow differentiation of perfusion defects in patients with CTEPH/CTED from other patients.