Principals and clinical applications of magnetic resonance cardiac spectroscopy in heart failure.

Cardiac magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is a noninvasive method to assess by-products of myocardial metabolism. Recent developments in shorter scan protocols and more powerful field strengths have created interest in utilizing this technology in studying and characterizing the metabolic derangements in heart failure patients. Our lack of understanding in heart failure could be greatly enhanced by identifying the metabolic changes and eventually modifying metabolic substrate to achieve improved cardiac mechanics with the aid of this technology. However, there are several impediments for the widespread applicability of this technology. This review discusses the principals of human cardiac MRS and literature pertaining to use of MRS in patients with cardiomyopathy.