Measurements of hyperpolarized gas properties in the lung. Part III: (3)He T(1)

Hyperpolarized (3)He spin-lattice relaxation was investigated in the guinea pig lung using spectroscopy and imaging techniques with a repetitive RF pulse series. T(1) was dominated by interactions with oxygen and was used to measure the alveolar O(2) partial pressure. In animals ventilated with a mixture of 79% (3)He and 21% O(2), T(1) dropped from 19.6 sec in vivo to 14.6 sec after cardiac arrest, reflecting the termination of the intrapulmonary gas exchange. The initial difference in oxygen concentration between inspired and alveolar air, and the temporal decay during apnea were related to functional parameters. Estimates of oxygen uptake were 29 +/- 11 mL min(-1) kg(-1) under normoxic conditions, and 9.0 +/- 2.0 mL min(-1) kg(-1) under hypoxic conditions. Cardiac output was estimated to be 400 +/- 160 mL min(-1) kg(-1). The functional residual capacity derived from spirometric magnetic resonance experiments varied with body mass between 5.4 +/- 0.3 mL and 10.7 +/- 1.1 mL. Magn Reson Med 45:421-430, 2001.