Submillimeter Isotropic in vivo Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping: Application to Women with Suspected Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction

Motivation: The study's motivation lies in overcoming the low-resolution limitations of Quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) in 3T-MRI, which is critical for investigating brain aging and neurodegeneration. Goal(s): We aimed to construct high-resolution QSM using submillimeter T2*-3D-EPI sequence to measure iron deposition in the cortical and deep gray matter of women with suspected coronary microvascular dysfunction. Approach: The approach involved a novel imaging protocol, TGV-based QSM reconstruction, and statistical analysis correlating iron deposition with cardiovascular health markers. Results: Results indicate a significant association between brain iron accumulation and microvascular heart conditions, pointing to a potential interconnected pathology in women with suspected coronary microvascular dysfunction. Impact: The study's high-resolution QSM technique could revolutionize neuroimaging, allowing clinicians to detect microvascular changes early and personalize treatments. It opens avenues for exploring the systemic nature of microvascular diseases, potentially altering approaches to managing neurodegenerative and cardiovascular conditions.