STUDY OF MYOCARDIAL-METABOLISM BY P-31 NUCLEAR-MAGNETIC-RESONANCE SPECTROSCOPY

P-31 NMR spectroscopy provided non-destructive biochemical analysis re lative to an energy status of the myocardium in both normal and differ ent pathological states. Defining the sequence of changes in myocardia l high energy phosphate content and tissue pH during ischaemia period and reperfusion is ail area that will receive experimental attention u sing this technique. When combined with measurements of metabolite flu xes through key enzymes in energy metabolism using magnetisation trans fer, P-31 NMR spectroscopy will provide a unique opportunity to study changes in heart metabolism that accompany cardiac muscle dysfunction in acute and chronic ischaemic myocardial disease as well as in diffus e processes such as cardiomyopathy and ventricular hypertrophy.