Using sodium (23Na) MRI to measure sodium concentration in the interventricular septum of patients on hemodialysis

Motivation: Cardiovascular risk is elevated in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients on hemodialysis (HD) and may be associated with tissue sodium accumulation in the heart. Goal(s): To compare tissue sodium concentration (TSC) in the interventricular septum of HD patients and healthy controls using sodium (23Na) MRI. Approach: 23Na MRI was performed on 3 HD patients and 6 controls to quantify TSC in the interventricular septum. Results: TSC in the septum was higher in HD patients compared to controls but was not statistically significant. These results may be limited by sample size and age and sex effects, which will be explored in a larger cohort. Impact: For the first time, 23Na MRI was used to directly measure TSC in the heart of CKD patients on HD. These findings may provide insight on the cardiovascular risk associated with sodium accumulation in this group.