Abstract
BackgroundNovel cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) techniques and imaging biomarkers are often validated in small animal models or empirically in patients. Direct translation of small animal CMR protocols to humans is rarely possible, while validation in humans is often difficult, slow and occasionally not possible due to ethical considerations. The aim of this study is to overcome these limitations by introducing an MR-compatible, free beating, blood-perfused, isolated pig heart model for the development of novel CMR methodology.Methods6 hearts were perfused outside of the MR environment to establish preparation stability. Coronary perfusion pressure (CPP), coronary blood flow (CBF), left ventricular pressure (LVP), arterial blood gas and electrolyte composition were monitored over 4 hours. Further hearts were perfused within 3T (n = 3) and 1.5T (n = 3) clinical MR scanners, and characterised using functional (CINE), perfusion and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) imaging. Perfusion imaging was performed globally and selectively for the right (RCA) and left coronary artery (LCA). In one heart the RCA perfusion territory was determined and compared to infarct size after coronary occlusion.ResultsAll physiological parameters measured remained stable and within normal ranges. The model proved amenable to CMR at both field strengths using typical clinical acquisitions. There was good agreement between the RCA perfusion territory measured by selective first pass perfusion and LGE after coronary occlusion (37% versus 36% of the LV respectively).ConclusionsThis flexible model allows imaging of cardiac function in a controllable, beating, human-sized heart using clinical MR systems. It should aid further development, validation and clinical translation of novel CMR methodologies, and imaging sequences.
Highlights
Novel cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) techniques and imaging biomarkers are often validated in small animal models or empirically in patients
Normal values of coronary blood flow (CBF) and Coronary perfusion pressure (CPP) were maintained throughout the experiments (Figure 3)
We found good agreement between the left ventricular myocardium in the RCA territory identified by first pass perfusion prior to RCA occlusion and the left ventricular territory identified by late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) (Figure 6C) imaged 180 minutes after RCA occlusion
Summary
Novel cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) techniques and imaging biomarkers are often validated in small animal models or empirically in patients. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) is being used increasingly in the diagnosis and assessment of CAD as it has the unique capability of assessing myocardial function, viability and perfusion in one session [2] It compares favourably with other non-invasive methods [3,4,5,6]. This high-resolution technique has evolved rapidly over the past few years with the development of new hardware, contrast agents, acquisition sequences and new post-processing tools These recent and ongoing advances bring the promise of improved diagnostic accuracy and understanding of the pathophysiology and, most importantly, improved management of the disease [7]. These new methods have to be developed and validated before being translated to patients
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
