(31)P NMR spectroscopy The noninvasive tool for the study of the biochemistry of the cardiovascular system.
Recent advances in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy have allowed the transition to be made from using animal models for studies of the biochemistry of the cardiovascular system to direct measurements in human myocardium. (31)P NMR spectroscopy is now being used to define changes in the relative concentrations of phosphocreatine and ATP (the abundant high-energy phosphate compounds in muscle) in normal, ischemic, hypertrophied, and failing human hearts. Use of (31)P magnetization transfer to measure turnover of high-energy phosphate-containing compounds provides new insights into myocardial energetics.
NMR Laboratory for Physiological Chemistry in the Department of Medicine at Brigham & Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115 USA.
J S
JS
Ingwal
R G
RG
Weiss