Investigating the Metabolic Effects of Heart Failure Progression In Vivo Using Hyperpolarized Magnetic Resonance

Helen Jennifer Atherton¹, Michael S. Dodd¹, Carolyn A. Carr¹, Daniel J. Stuckey¹, Kieran Clarke¹, George K. Radda¹, Damian J. Tyler¹

Using hyperpolarized magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), we determined in vivo the temporal metabolic changes associated with heart failure progression post myocardial infarction (MI). Two weeks post MI, PDH flux was equivalent in failing and control hearts. In contrast levels of [1-¹³C]citrate, [1-¹³C]acetyl carnitine and [5-¹³C]glutamate were reduced in infarcted hearts reflecting a perturbation in Krebs cycle metabolism. Reduced [1-¹³C]lactate was also observed post MI indicating decreased glucose uptake and/or glycolysis. This study highlights the importance of assessing metabolism at multiple time points in vivo, and demonstrates the potential of hyperpolarized MRS for investigating the metabolic effects of progressive diseases.