Salt sensitive blood pressure (SSBP) is a cardiovascular disease risk factor, yet clinically-feasible biomarkers of SSBP have not been developed. We tested the hypothesis that peripheral tissue sodium content (TSC), measured with 23Na-MRI, is higher in persons with vs. without SSBP (n=39 total; age=29.4±7.4 years; sex=21/18 F/M). SSBP was confirmed by independent measurement of BP increase >5 mmHg after high-salt diet compared to low-salt diet. SSBP participants (n=13) had elevated leg skin TSC (p=0.04), and TSC was inversely correlated with leg fat-fraction (ρ=-0.57; p<0.001). Findings suggest that multi-nuclear 23Na/1H-MRI could provide a radiological screening tool for SSBP.
This abstract and the presentation materials are available to members only; a login is required.