Cardiac T1 mapping enables risk prediction of LV dysfunction after surgery for aortic regurgitation.

Background: To assess whether cardiac T1 mapping for detecting myocardial fibrosis enables preoperative identification of patients at risk for early left ventricular dysfunction after surgery of aortic regurgitation.

Methods: 1.5 Tesla cardiac magnetic resonance imaging was performed in 40 consecutive aortic regurgitation patients before aortic valve surgery.