Hee-Won Kim1, Karam Souibri2, Gerald M. Pohost1,3
1Radiology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; 2Medicine, University of Southern California, USA; 3Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, USA
An automatic handgrip stress control system was developed in order to obtain improved precision of the phosphate metabolic alterations during the cardiac stress MRS at 3T. The load-cell/strain-gauge provided the stress signals. By feed-forward or feedback control, the error signals have actuated audio-visual stimulation to the subject. It was clearly demonstrated that the stress level is far more stable during the entire session with the control system so that more accurate measurement of the metabolite changes during moderate stress is available. The spectral resolution was also improved by proactively sustained control during stress 31P MRS.