Improved Detection of Myocardial Fibrosis: a Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study

Myocardial fibrosis, or scarring, is a common endpoint in many cardiomyopathies and is associated with adverse outcomes, and precise tools to measure myocardial fibrosis are needed. Focal and diffuse myocardial fibrosis can be diagnosed by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging. However, the CMR procedure is complex and time-consuming and require the use of intravenous gadolinium based contrast agents. A wide range of biomarkers have been associated with the diagnosis and prognosis of cardiovascular disease. In the current study the investigators will assess whether novel and established circulating myocardial biomarkers associate with myocardial fibrosis assessed by CMR. The investigators will also assess whether novel or improved CMR sequences as well as machine learning algorithms improve image quality and the detection of myocardial fibrosis.