Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42635888›Full record

ReviewInsights into imaging2026

Technical challenges in establishing local native T1 reference ranges in cardiac MRI: a critical review.

Maheran Che Ha, Khairil Amir Sayuti, Yusri Mohammed, Mardhiyati Mohd Yunus, Nurisya Mohd Shah, Mohd Mustafa Awang Kechik, Mohammad Johari Ibahim, Muhammad Khalis Abdul Karim

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Insights into imaging, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Maheran Che HaDepartment of Physics, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Serdang, Malaysia.
Khairil Amir SayutiDepartment of Radiology, Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Malaysia.
Yusri MohammedDepartment of Radiology, Hospital Sultan Idris Shah, Serdang, Malaysia.
Mardhiyati Mohd YunusFaculty of Health Science, Universiti Selangor (UNISEL), Shah Alam, Malaysia.
Nurisya Mohd ShahDepartment of Physics, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Serdang, Malaysia.
Mohd Mustafa Awang KechikDepartment of Physics, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Serdang, Malaysia.
Mohammad Johari IbahimFaculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), Jalan Hospital, Sungai Buloh, Malaysia.
Muhammad Khalis Abdul KarimDepartment of Physics, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Serdang, Malaysia. mkhalis@upm.edu.my.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5357-4193

Funding

Universiti Putra Malaysia GP/GPB-9810400
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Establishing local reference ranges for native T1 in healthy myocardium is critical in cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) for the accurate detection of myocardial fibrosis and other tissue abnormalities. However, native T1 measurements vary widely and are sensitive to technical factors such as the magnetic field strength, static magnetic field (B0) and radiofrequency (B1) homogeneities, differences in MRI scanners across various vendors, imaging protocols, and specific acquisition parameters employed. These variabilities have consequently hindered the direct comparison of T1 values across different studies and centers. This review aims to evaluate the main technical challenges and methodological inconsistencies that impact the establishment of local native T1 reference ranges in CMR, and review proposals for mitigation, harmonization, and standardization strategies designed to enhance comparability across CMR platforms. A comprehensive literature search was conducted focusing on myocardial native T1 mapping using the modified Look-Locker inversion recovery (MOLLI) technique and its variants, as well as on alternative T1 mapping sequences like ShMOLLI, SASHA, SMART1Map, and SAPPHIRE. Reported native T1 values in healthy myocardium were found to be inconsistent across studies, driven by differences in the magnetic field strength, static magnetic field (B0), and radiofrequency (B1) homogeneities, and vendor-specific hardware and software configurations. Standardization of T1 mapping protocols, including standardized imaging parameters and vendor-specific reference adjustment, is therefore necessary to improve the comparability and reliability of myocardial T1 values across CMR centers. In addition, a robust quality assurance (QA) program and effective quality control (QC) measures are pivotal in ensuring the reliability and consistency of the measurements. KEY POINTS: Question How do technical factors and scanner-specific variabilities hinder the establishment of reliable local native T1 reference ranges for accurate myocardial tissue characterization? Findings Standardization of acquisition parameters, vendor-specific benchmarks, and robust quality assurance programs effectively minimize inter-scanner variability, ensuring reliable and comparable native myocardial T1 measurements across centers. Critical relevance statement This review identifies technical drivers of T1 variability and proposes a standardization framework, enabling clinicians to establish accurate local reference ranges and improve diagnostic comparability across diverse platforms in clinical radiology practice.

Indexed as

Magnetic resonance imagingMyocardiumQuality controlReference valueReproducibility of results

Identifiers

PMID42635888
PMCPMC13504065

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.