Real time monitoring of Ca2+ homeostasis by manganese enhanced cMRI in a remotely induced myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury mouse model

Motivation: Studies on cardiac ischemia reperfusion injury mainly focus on events following an ischemic event. Our focus were the initial moments during occlusion and reperfusion in a novel murine model. Goal(s): Our goal was to characterize the dynamic processes occurring during and immediately after ischemia. Approach: Manganese is a calcium analogue and potent T1-contrast agent for MRI that enters cardiomyocytes through active calcium channels. By exploiting this mechanism, the disruption of calcium homeostasis was monitored during and after ischemia. Results: Studying the early phase of ischemia is feasible and data suggest a link between the final scar extent and severity of Ca2+ homeostasis disruption. Impact: Preclinical ischemia-reperfusion injury studies can now be complemented with an early marker for subsequent injury. Revealing the dynamic processes occurring during and immediately after an ischemic event might help to assess the effects of applied therapeutics at an earlier stage.