Acquisition of Localized Dynamic Phosphorus MRS and Perfusion for Muscle Specific Metabolic Assessment

Breathlessness and fatigue are common features of heart failure. Although the heart is often the limiting factor, skeletal muscle involvement is common and it might serve as better therapeutic target. Therefore, it is important to assess muscle metabolism in parallel with the heart.

Using magnetic resonance-based methods we can non-invasively measure how fast is energy produced in the muscles after exercise. This process is highly dependent on sufficient blood supply, which we can measure during another exercise.

In this work, we use these measures to investigate muscle metabolism in patients with heart failure and low iron. In addition, we will define whether and how much are the results of the second exercise influenced by the first one.

These results will provide pilot data for a grant application aimed at developing an interleaved technique requiring only one exercise. In addition, it will support future multi-organ focused investigations in failing heart.