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Abstract #1389

Novel Results from Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging in a Spider Species

Gavin D. Merrifield1, Nichola M. Brydges2, Lynsey S. Hall3, Jim Mullin4, Lindsay Gallagher4, Romain Pizzi5, William M. Holmes4

1Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Midlothian, United Kingdom; 2Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom; 3School of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Edinburgh, United Kingdom; 4Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom; 5Zoological Medicine Ltd, Dunfermline, United Kingdom


To assess the potential of existing MRI scanner performance to evaluate novel model animal species cardiac MRI was performed on large spiders. The acquired images were used to extract the first direct in vivo measurements of cardiac function in this type of animal. Measurements revealed a previously unknown relationship between animal mass and cardiac ejection fraction.