Hepatic Hyperpolarized 13C Pyruvate Studies: Origin of Additional In Vivo Pyruvate Resonances

Eric T. Peterson¹, Jeremy W. Gordon², Sean B. Fain², Ian J. Rowland²

Hepatic metabolism studies using hyperpolarized ¹³C pyruvate often yield additional resonances associated with pyruvate and pyruvate hydrate. To investigate the origin of these additional resonances, we have used spectrally sensitive imaging and intravenous gadolinium-based contrast agent. Spectral information strongly suggested that the additional resonances derive from the vena cava. This is attributed to bulk magnetic susceptibility effects due to alignment parallel with B₀. Intravenous contrast diminished the additional high field but not the low field resonances, supporting the conclusion that the additional peaks arise predominantly from an intravascular compartment.