[In-vivo 31P-NMR-spectroscopy in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy]

In vivo 31P-NMR spectra of heart muscle were obtained in 7 patients with dilating cardiomyopathies and in 10 normal subjects, using an ISIS technique with a 1.5 Tesla body scanner (Philips Gyroscan S15) and the results of the two groups were compared. These results were easily reproduced. In patients with cardiomyopathy there was a significant (p < 0.05) reduction of the PCr/ATP ratio as an expression of abnormal energy metabolism. Two patients with mild clinical symptoms and only slightly reduced functional measurements showed no significant changes in the 31P-NMR spectrum. The patients with the largest reduction of the PCr/ATP index also showed the most marked changes in functional measurements. The PCr/ATP ratio (as also suggested by animal experiments) appears to be a suitable non-invasive indicator for the diagnosis and staging of myocardial changes in dilating cardiomyopathies.