Volume 28, Issue 7 p. 747-766
Review article

MRS: a noninvasive window into cardiac metabolism

Petronella A. van Ewijk

Petronella A. van Ewijk

Maastricht University Medical Center, Human Biology, Maastricht, the Netherlands

Maastricht University Medical Center, Radiology, Maastricht, the Netherlands

Maastricht University Medical Center, NUTRIM - School for Nutrition, Toxicology and Metabolism, Maastricht, the Netherlands

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Vera B. Schrauwen-Hinderling

Vera B. Schrauwen-Hinderling

Maastricht University Medical Center, Human Biology, Maastricht, the Netherlands

Maastricht University Medical Center, Radiology, Maastricht, the Netherlands

Maastricht University Medical Center, NUTRIM - School for Nutrition, Toxicology and Metabolism, Maastricht, the Netherlands

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Sebastiaan C. A. M. Bekkers

Sebastiaan C. A. M. Bekkers

Maastricht University Medical Center, Cardiology, Maastricht, the Netherlands

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Jan F. C. Glatz

Jan F. C. Glatz

Maastricht University Medical Center, Molecular Genetics, Maastricht, the Netherlands

Maastricht University Medical Center, CARIM - Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht, the Netherlands

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Joachim E. Wildberger

Joachim E. Wildberger

Maastricht University Medical Center, Radiology, Maastricht, the Netherlands

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M. Eline Kooi

Corresponding Author

M. Eline Kooi

Maastricht University Medical Center, Radiology, Maastricht, the Netherlands

Maastricht University Medical Center, NUTRIM - School for Nutrition, Toxicology and Metabolism, Maastricht, the Netherlands

Maastricht University Medical Center, CARIM - Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht, the Netherlands

Correspondence to: M. Eline Kooi, Department of Radiology, Maastricht University Medical Center, PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ Maastricht, the Netherlands. E-mail: [email protected]

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First published: 25 May 2015
Citations: 23

Abstract

A well-functioning heart requires a constant supply of a balanced mixture of nutrients to be used for the production of adequate amounts of adenosine triphosphate, which is the main energy source for most cellular functions. Defects in cardiac energy metabolism are linked to several myocardial disorders. MRS can be used to study in vivo changes in cardiac metabolism noninvasively. MR techniques allow repeated measurements, so that disease progression and the response to treatment or to a lifestyle intervention can be monitored. It has also been shown that MRS can predict clinical heart failure and death. This article focuses on in vivo MRS to assess cardiac metabolism in humans and experimental animals, as experimental animals are often used to investigate the mechanisms underlying the development of metabolic diseases. Various MR techniques, such as cardiac 31P-MRS, 1H-MRS, hyperpolarized 13C-MRS and Dixon MRI, are described. A short overview of current and emerging applications is given. Cardiac MRS is a promising technique for the investigation of the relationship between cardiac metabolism and cardiac disease. However, further optimization of scan time and signal-to-noise ratio is required before broad clinical application. In this respect, the ongoing development of advanced shimming algorithms, radiofrequency pulses, pulse sequences, (multichannel) detection coils, the use of hyperpolarized nuclei and scanning at higher magnetic field strengths offer future perspective for clinical applications of MRS. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.