Echo planar imaging of isolated perfused rat hearts at 4.7 T: a comparison of Langendorff and working heart preparations.

The implementation of echo planar imaging at 4.7 T is demonstrated using a homebuilt gradient and radiofrequency assembly. The application of such a technique to the study of the isolated perfused rat heart is demonstrated. Langendorff and working heart perfusion preparations are compared and changes in the left ventricular volume shown are to be much larger in the working heart preparation. Such a methodology is expected to provide a useful model for the study of cardiac function and dynamics in the normal and diseased states under controlled perfusion conditions.