From the atomic nucleus to man: nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, the next horizon in diagnostic cardiology.

The study by Nakae et al. (1) in this issue of the Journal presents compelling evidence suggesting a role for (nuclear) magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy to assess heart failure in the future. No longer relegated clinically to only providing finely detailed anatomical images, the full potential of MR techniques is the ability to visualize biochemical and physiological processes. With respect to physiologic processes, it is the ability of MR to rapidly image ventricular volumes and wall motion, to evaluate viability, to assess arterial morphology and plaque, and to evaluate myocardial perfusion. In the case of biochemical processes, it is the ability of MR to perform spectroscopy and evaluate myocardial metabolism (without the use of radionuclides).