A combined hemodynamic and metabolic model for in vivo hyperpolarized 13C MRI data analysis

Motivation: Accurate interpretation of hyperpolarized (HP) 13C-MRI data is vital for advancing metabolic imaging techniques, yet existing models often overlook critical factors like transcapillary extraction. Goal(s): This study aims to develop a comprehensive kinetic model that incorporates both perfusion and extraction, providing a more reliable assessment of metabolism in vivo. Approach: We introduce a generalized model and validate it using in vivo HP 13C-MRI data from healthy volunteers, comparing parameter estimation to traditional ratio-metric analyses. Results: Our model is able to quantify hemodynamics and metabolic rates across various scenarios and reveals that current approaches may misinterpret the contributions of metabolism and extraction. Impact: Our generalized model potentially enables more accurate quantification of metabolism in HP 13C-MRI by accounting for perfusion and extraction effects. This advancement may support better interpretation of metabolic data, potentially leading to improved diagnostics and therapeutic monitoring in clinical settings.