Simultaneous assessment of cardiac metabolism and perfusion using copolarized [1-13 C]pyruvate and 13 C-urea

Magn Reson Med. 2017 Jan;77(1):151-158. doi: 10.1002/mrm.26106. Epub 2016 Jan 7.

Abstract

Purpose: To demonstrate the feasibility of imaging a bolus of co-polarized [1-13 C]pyruvate and 13 C-urea to simultaneously assess both metabolism and perfusion in the rodent heart.

Methods: Copolarized [1-13 C]pyruvate and 13 C-urea was imaged using a multi-echo, flow-sensitized spiral pulse sequence. Healthy rats were scanned in a two-factor factorial design (n = 12 total; metabolism: overnight fasting versus fed with dichloroacetate injection; perfusion: rest versus adenosine stress-induced hyperemia).

Results: Alterations in metabolism were detected by changes in pyruvate metabolism into 13 C-bicarbonate. Statistically independent alterations in perfusion were detected by changes in myocardial pyruvate and urea signals.

Conclusion: The new pulse sequence was used to obtain maps of metabolism and perfusion in the rodent heart in a single acquisition. This hyperpolarized 13 C imaging test is expected to enable new studies in which the cardiac metabolism/perfusion mismatch can be studied in the acute environment. Magn Reson Med 77:151-158, 2017. © 2016 The Authors Magnetic Resonance in Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.

Keywords: 13C; cardiac; first-pass perfusion; hyperpolarization; metabolism.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Carbon Isotopes / metabolism*
  • Heart / diagnostic imaging*
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Male
  • Myocardium / metabolism
  • Perfusion Imaging / methods*
  • Pyruvic Acid / metabolism*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Urea / metabolism*

Substances

  • Carbon Isotopes
  • Pyruvic Acid
  • Urea