Myocardial infarction quantification and function assessment with Manganese Enhanced MRI (MEMRI) in mice on a clinical 3T scanner

Introduction: Manganese (Mn), a calcium analog, is an interesting contrast agent that enters excitable cells via L-type voltage dependant channels. Due to a strong T1 shortening effect when accumulating in tissue Mn can be used as an efficient marker of cell activity [1],[2]. In previous studies [3],[4] it has revealed a strong efficiency in the assessment of transmural fibrotic scar myocardial infarction in a mice model of permanent coronary occlusion. Wether Manganese Enhanced MRI (MEMRI) is also able to detect non transmural infarct in mice is not known. The aim of our study was to set up a MEMRI protocol to assess subendocardial myocardial infarction in a mouse model of coronary occlusion reperfusion on a regular 3T clinical MR scanner.