Magnetic resonance spectroscopy in human cardiomyopathies

Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) can noninvasively provide a window in to the metabolic status of the heart. This technique has shown abnormalitie s in the phosphocreatine-to-adenosine triphosphate ratio in patients with s evere cardiomyopathies, either dilated or hypertrophic. Data indicate that abnormal metabolic parameters can risk stratify patients with dilated cardi omyopathy and provide independent prognostic information. Finally, the use of MRS in patients after cardiac transplantation is being explored. The inf ormation from cardiac MRS will likely provide the investigator and clinicia n with unique data and assist in the diagnosis and management of patients w ith various forms of heart disease.