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Abstract #3736

Cardiac Diffusion MR Microscopy of Rabbit Heart

Min Sig Hwang1, Katja Odening2, Ohad Ziv2, Bum-Rak Choi2, Gideon Koren2, John R. Forder1

1McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States; 2Cardiovascular Research Center, Rhode Island Hospital Alert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, United States


In this study, we explored the potential of microscopic high angular resolution diffusion imaging (MHARDI) achieving a cellular level spatial resolution as a non-invasive tool that is sensitive to subtle changes in the heterogeneous microstructure and arrangement of the cardiac tissues. Diffusion tensor images and tensor invariants acquired with two diffusion sensitizing factors were investigated. Our results suggest that MHARDI with an optimized b-value and resolution may be a powerful tool for non-invasive monitoring of electro-mechanical property and its well-coordinated function.