Longitudinal MRI/MRS reveals early lipid deposition in murine prediabetes as predictive marker for the outcome after myocardial infarction

Motivation: People with diabetes have increased cardiovascular risk and poorer outcome after myocardial infarction (MI). However, the exact underlying mechanisms are still unclear. Goal(s): To identify non-invasive measures which could be used to predict the altered risk for the patient at early stages of the disease and adapt personalized treatment. Approach: We used a holistic MR approach to monitor longitudinally not only the main target heart, but also liver and peripheral/skeletal muscle during disease development and subsequent MI. Results: We revealed intramyocellular lipids as early marker in murine prediabetes and together with the cardiac lipid load as predictive for the functional outcome after MI. Impact: Persisting screening of organ lipids by 1H MRS may serve for risk stratification in patients, with tibial IMCLs in particular being easily measurable. Here, dedicated leg surface coils and the superficial anatomical position of the tibia will provide ultra-high sensitivity.