ACCELCMR

"Accelerated myocardial perfusion, metabolic and contractile cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging"

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death worldwide and the costs due to CVD are increasing. Early detection and correct treatment of CVD is therefore important and research on cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) for imaging of myocardial viability, perfusion and contractility has been intensified. While these methods are already well developed and in use in clinical research and practice, data on metabolic changes associated with CVD are difficult to obtain in-vivo due to the low inherent sensitivity of CMR. With the advent of hyperpolarization methods, an opportunity for probing metabolism in the in-vivo heart with high resolution has emerged. The hyperpolarization is short-lived, however, and requires imaging with high scan efficiency during a short time window. The objective of this research proposal is to develop in-vivo metabolic imaging by exploiting and furthering latest technology developed for CMR scan acceleration and carbon hyperpolarization at the University and ETH Zurich. Joint assessment of the interrelation of perfusion, metabolism and contractile function of the heart will be used to study occlusion and reperfusion in an animal model, triggered by the ongoing debate about the cause of reperfusion injury during treatment of CVD. The applicant already has expertise in accelerated imaging for human applications based on research projects he carried out in Sweden and Japan. He is now seeking to add experience in animal imaging and metabolic spectroscopic imaging methods to his repertoire. By joining one of the world-leading institutions in CMR research he will efficiently contribute and profit from a cutting-edge research endeavor aimed at extending the diagnostic capabilities of CMR. Upon completion of the project the fellow is expected to have complemented his expertise to be able to become an independent researcher in academia or in the prominent European healthcare industry focusing on diagnostic imaging.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is still the leading cause of death worldwide and associated healthcare burdens are very high. EU-funded researchers are working on optimising cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging for early detection and treatment of CVD to improve patient outcomes.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

CMR shows myocardial viability, perfusion (blood supply) and contractility. Hyperpolarisation methods are enabling detection of metabolic substrates in the heart such as high-energy phosphate compounds (e.g. pyruvate). Hyperpolarisation is a technique where the signal intensity from the C-13 labelled substrate is detected to estimate normal and abnormal metabolism in real time.

The problem with hyperpolarisation is that it is short-lived and requires high scanning efficiency within a short time frame. The ACCELCMR project worked on developing and optimising in vivo metabolic imaging of the heart through CMR scan acceleration and better carbon-13 (C-13) hyperpolarisation.

Improved polarisation levels of C-13 labelled pyruvate led to better substrate detection. Accelerated imaging techniques were successfully developed, optimised and tested. The results of optimised signal sampling were faster and high-resolution perfusion imaging, metabolic imaging and contractile functional imaging.

Metabolic imaging will provide unparalleled non-invasive insight into the underlying mechanisms occurring during heart conditions where there is a restricted supply of oxygen and injury when blood supply is restored.

Further research to optimise instrumentation could improve knowledge about metabolic defects in the heart. This could provide the key to effective treatment for CVD to limit mortality and improve patient outcomes as well as quality of life.