Myocardial fibrosis is a pathological feature contributing to the progression of a wide range of cardiovascular diseases. In this project, we validate cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging tools to assess myocardial fibrosis in a mouse model of pressure overload. Image Pressure overload, a hallmark of valvular heart disease and hypertension, is the leading cause of heart failure. With the progressive nature of this condition a better understanding of the process underlying the transition to heart failure is vital. Recent studies suggest that interstitial myocardial fibrosis occurs early in this transition and has a profound effect on cardiac function. The recently developed T1-mapping Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging (CMR) technique has the potential to quantify the extracellular volume fraction (ECV) and therefore evaluate the expansion of the extracellular matrix (primarily diffuse fibrosis) over time. Research Methods and Objectives We are using different types of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging scans to study the development of heart failure in a mouse model of pressure overload. Specifically, we are testing whether CMR T1-mapping to measure extracellular volume can be used as an imaging biomarker to predict disease progression. Principal Investigator, Co-Investigators, Other researchers Principal Investigator: Maurits Jansen Co-Investigators: Jacek Kwiecinski (PhD student), Marc Dweck, Gillian Gray This article was published on 2024-03-19
