In vivo 31P nuclear magnetic resonance measurements in canine heart using a catheter-coil.

We have developed a new method of obtaining high resolution 31P 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.