Hexagonal surface gradient coil for localized MRS of the heart

Multi-coil magnetic field modeling

The performance of multi-coil (MC) magnetic field modeling is compared to dedicated wire patterns for the generation of spherical harmonic (SH) shapes as these are the workhorse for spatial encoding and magnetic field homogenization in MR imaging and spectroscopy. To this end, an example 48 channel MC setup is analyzed and shown to be capable of generating all first through fourth order SH shapes over small and large regions-of-interest relevant for MR investigations. The MC efficiency for the generation of linear gradient fields shares the same order of magnitude with classic and state-of-the-art SH gradient coils. MC field modeling becomes progressively more efficient with the synthesis of more complex field shapes that require the combination of multiple SH terms. The possibility of a region-specific optimization of both magnetic field shapes and generation performance with the MC approach are discussed with emphasis on the possible trade-off between the field accuracy and generation efficiency. MC shimming has been shown previously to outperform current SH shimming. Along with the efficiency gains of MC shimming shown here, the MC concept has the potential to (1) replace conventional shim systems that are based on sets of dedicated SH coils and (2) allow optimal object-specific shim solutions similar to object-specific RF coils.

Magnetic field modeling with a set of individual localized coils

A set of generic, circular individual coils is shown to be capable of generating highly complex magnetic field distributions in a flexible fashion. Arbitrarily oriented linear field gradients can be generated in three-dimensional as well as sliced volumes at amplitudes that allow imaging applications. The multi-coil approach permits the simultaneous generation of linear MRI encoding fields and complex shim fields by the same setup, thereby reducing system complexity. The choice of the sensitive volume over which the magnetic fields are optimized remains temporally and spatially variable at all times. The restriction of the field synthesis to experimentally relevant, smaller volumes such as single slices directly translates into improved efficiency, i.e. higher magnetic field amplitudes and/or reduced coil currents. For applications like arterial spin labeling, signal spoiling and diffusion weighting, perfect linearity of the gradient fields is not required and reduced demands on accuracy can also be readily translated into improved efficiency. The first experimental realization was achieved for mouse head MRI with 24 coils that were mounted on the surface of a cylindrical former. Oblique linear field gradients of 20 kHz/cm (47 mT/m) were generated with a maximum current of 1.4A which allowed radial imaging of a mouse head. The potential of the new approach for generating arbitrary magnetic field shapes is demonstrated by synthesizing the more complex, higher order spherical harmonic magnetic field distributions X2-Y2, Z2 and Z2X. The new multi-coil approach provides the framework for the integration of conventional imaging and shim coils into a single multi-coil system in which shape, strength, accuracy and spatial coverage of the magnetic field can be specifically optimized for the application at hand.

Detection and quantification of free cytosolic inorganic phosphate and other phosphorus metabolites in the beating mouse heart muscle in situ

The aim of this study was the quantification of inorganic phosphate (Pi) and other phosphorus metabolites by (31)P NMR spectroscopy in the mouse heart muscle in situ, beating at around 600 min(-1). Male adult Quacker-bush mice (mean weight 32 +/- 7 g) were anaesthetized, ventilated and placed in a temperature-controlled animal holder. A purpose-built (31)P NMR surface coil was positioned against the exposed left ventricular myocardium. Partial signal overlap of Pi with 2,3-DPG from chamber blood was minimized using a DEPTH pulse sequence (180 degrees -90 degrees -180 degrees -180 degrees -acq.). Quantification of phosphorus metabolites was performed using an external standard positioned directly above the surface coil. We report for the mouse myocardium in situ an intracellular free [Pi] of <0.4 mM, pH of 7.32 +/- 0.1, free [Mg2+] of 0.41 +/- 0.1 mM, free [ADP] of 13 +/- 1.5 microM, [ATP] of 5 +/- 0.5 mM and [PCr] of 14 +/- 1.5 mM. The phosphorylation ratio (ATP/ADP Pi) was 1005 +/- 200 mM (-1) for a PCr/ATP ratio of 2.7 +/- 0.3. It was concluded that the detection of free [Pi] in the mouse myocardium in situ can be greatly enhanced using a DEPTH pulse sequence. Quantification of compounds using an external standard positioned directly above the surface coil gave comparable results to estimations using internal ATP that was quantified enzymatically. The close agreement between the external and internal methods indicates that ATP is 100% NMR visible in the mouse heart in situ.

Antegrade and retrograde continuous warm blood cardioplegia: a 31P magnetic resonance study

BACKGROUND

Retrograde normothermic blood cardioplegia has been shown to provide myocardial protection during certain bypass procedures. However, a number of animal studies have shown less than optimal myocardial protection with this technique.

METHODS

Isolated, beating porcine hearts were perfused antegradely (aortic root pressure = 75 to 95 mm Hg) for 30 minutes. Arrest was induced and maintained for 60 minutes with high K+ blood cardioplegia delivered either antegradely (n = 8) or retrogradely (n = 8) (coronary sinus pressure = 35 to 55 mm Hg). Perfusate was switched to normokalemic blood for recovery of sinus rhythm (30 minutes). Intracellular pH, creatine phosphate, inorganic phosphate, and adenosine triphosphate were monitored continuously and noninvasively with phosphorus 31 magnetic resonance spectroscopy throughout the experiment, and functional variables (rate-pressure product and the positive and negative first derivatives of left ventricular pressure) were assessed concurrently.

RESULTS

Antegrade cardioplegia maintained high-energy metabolites, intracellular pH, and myocardial function. Retrograde normothermic blood cardioplegia resulted in an increase in inorganic phosphate (197% +/- 15% of control) and a decrease in creatine phosphate (51% +/- 6% of control). There was no significant difference in myocardial function between the two groups (p > 0.05). The magnetic resonance spectroscopy data indicate ischemia occurred within 2 minutes of the initiation of retrograde perfusion.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that retrograde normothermic blood cardioplegia causes a transition of the myocardium to ischemic metabolism in the normal porcine heart.

Water-suppressed one-dimensional 1H NMR spectroscopic imaging of myocardial metabolites in vivo

Excitation by conventional B1 pulses in surface coil chemical-shift imaging experiments yields resonance intensities that vary greatly with position. B1-compensated semi-selective pulses overcome much of this problem. These pulses are employed for excitation and refocusing in 1H NMR spectroscopic localization in the intact heart.