Wolfram Machann MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Oliver Geier, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Jan Ruff PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Dietbert Hahn MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Matthias Spindler, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Herbert Koestler PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Meinrad Johannes Beer MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

et al, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

et al, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

MR-spectroscopy of the myocardium was applied only in exceptional cases until now, due to the long analyzing time of 31P-MR-spectra. A possible solution for the time consuming segmentation of thoracic musculature and liver could be a 31P-3D-CSI sequence with spatial saturation pulses. Purpose of this study was to investigate in healthy volunteers, if this new sequence is feasible for metabolic imaging, and to compare metabolite pictures of patients with myocardial infarction with the late enhancement (LE).

Healthy volunteers were examined by a 1.5T MR-Scanner in prone position on a 31P/1H-surface coil during free breathing. 31P-spectra were acquired with an acquisition-weighted, ECG-triggered 31P-3D-CSI sequence. Signals from the chest wall, the liver and the large vessels were suppressed by saturation pulses. Additional LE-Images were acquired in supine position for first patient examinations.

The energy metabolites PCr and ATP could be measured in the left ventricular myocardium in all of our healthy volunteers. Within only one minute the spatial distribution of the Metabolite-concentration in short axis orientation could be compiled. In the metabolic images the whole left ventricular myocardium could be detected and the image of the metabolites showed a ring in this orientation, which projected onto the myocardium. A discontinuity of the “PCr-ring” was observed in the patients, which corresponded to the position of LE, thus a clearly detectable loss of metabolites in the infarcted area.

31P-MRS with saturation pulses allows metabolic imaging of the human heart. The first results in patients with myocardial infarction show, that alterations can be detected in correlation to LE.

With this new sequence,31P-MRS can be used in clinical routine,to find depletion of energy metabolites of the left ventricle quickly,which in many diseases is the first detectable parameter altered.

Machann, W, Geier, O, Ruff, J, Hahn, D, Spindler, M, Koestler, H, Beer, M, et al, , et al, , 31P-3D-CSI Sequence with Spatial Saturation Regions for Metabolic Imaging of the Healthy and Sick Human Heart.  Radiological Society of North America 2007 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 25 - November 30, 2007 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2007/5015329.html