Evaluation of cardiac energetics by non-invasive ³¹P magnetic resonance spectroscopy

Alterations in myocardial energy metabolism have been implicated in the pathophysiology of cardiac diseases such as heart failure and diabetic cardiomyopathy. 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is a powerful tool to investigate cardiac energetics non-invasively in vivo, by detecting phosphorus ( 31P)-containing metabolites involved in energy supply and buffering. In this article, we review the historical development of cardiac 31P MRS, the readouts used to assess cardiac energetics from 31P MRS, and how 31P MRS studies have contributed to the understanding of cardiac energy metabolism in heart failure and diabetes. This article is part of a Special issue entitled Cardiac adaptations to obesity, diabetes and insulin resistance, edited by Professors Jan F.C. Glatz, Jason R.B. Dyck and Christine Des Rosiers.