Experimental and clinical possibilities of MR spectroscopy of the heart |
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Authors: | S Neubauer G Ertl T Krahe R Schindler H Hillenbrand K Lackner K Kochsiek |
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Affiliation: | Medizinische Universit?tsklinik, Julius-Maximilians-Universit?t Würzburg. |
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Abstract: | MR-spectroscopy of the heart is a relatively new technique for the study of various aspects of cardiac metabolism. The majority of results has so far been obtained with the isolated perfused heart. Here, 31P-MR spectroscopy can be employed to measure high-energy phosphate metabolism and intracellular pH repeatedly and non-invasively. Using a technique called saturation transfer, velocities of enzymatic reactions, such as the creatine kinase reaction, can be measured. Intra- and extracellular Na+ and K+ concentrations can be registered with 23Na- and 39K-MR in conjunction with shift reagent. 13C-MR can be used to tackle carbohydrate metabolism. In-situ-R-spectroscopy allows determination of high-energy phosphates in intact large mammals. Clinical applications of MR-spectroscopy remain to be defined; preliminary results indicate high diagnostic and prognostic potential for patients with coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure. |
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