In Vivo 31P Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Measurements in Canine Heart Using a Catheter-Coil

We have developed a new method of obtaining high resolution P nuclear magnetic resonance spectra from canine heart without the need for major surgery. This is done by passing an elliptical nuclear magnetic resonance receiver coil through a peripheral blood vessel into the right or left ventricle. This technique enables spectra to be obtained from a defined region of myocardium in less than 7 minutes (for the right ventricle) with a signal:noise ratio of greater than 9:1. With this catheter-coil, useful cardiac metabolic information will be obtainable, not only from specified regions of the heart, but also from various layers of myocardium.