Hua-Lei Zhang1,2,
Hui Qiao1, Rachel S. Frank1, Stephanie Eucker2,
Bin Huang1, William M. Armstead3, Victor A. Ferrari4,
Jonathan A. Esptein4, Rong Zhou1
1Laboratories
of Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania,
Philadelphia, PA, USA; 2Department of Bioengineering, School of
Engineering & Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia,
PA, USA; 3Department of Anesthesia, University of Pennsylvania,
Philadelphia, PA, USA; 4Department of Medicine (Division of
Cardiovascular Medicine), University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Spin Labeling-CMR allowed high resolution mapping of myocardial blood flow (perfusion) in small animals which have rapid heart rates (400-600 bpm). The absolute perfusion values by Spin Labeling-CMR were in excellent agreement with those obtained by standard but invasive fluorescent microsphere method. This noninvasive method enabled serial monitoring of myocardial perfusion improvement in response to stem cell engraftment. Such capability is crucial in the development of cell therapy for myocardial infarction.