Christopher Paul Elder1, Marti Ann Chance1, Ryan N. Cook2, Bruce M. Damon1,2
1Radiology and Radiological Sciences and Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA; 2Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
There is a need to develop MR techniques to measure oxygen extraction in skeletal muscle. The purpose of this study was to determine if R2 and deoxyhemoglobin concentration ([Hb]) exhibit similar time course during submaximal isometric contraction. Six subjects performed a 120s submaximal isometric dorsiflexion while [Hb], R2*, R2 were measured. The R2 and [Hb] time courses showed excellent similarity in 3 subjects and dissimilarity in another 3. Similarity exists in subjects with free perfusion while dissimilarity exists in subjects with limited perfusion during contraction. <