UCSF

Hyperpolarization of metabolically active compounds labeled with ¹³C has been recently utilized for imaging metabolic processes in vivo. This work focused on developing a new 2D radiofrequency (RF) pulse for tracking a ¹³C-labeled pyruvate bolus injection in vivo. This pulse was designed for a clinical scanner, which allows for rapid translation to human studies. To meet clinical needs, we examined the flexibility of our design, and specifically the ability to shift the pulse location. The off-resonance response due to inhomogeneity, [1-¹³C]alanine and [1-¹³C]lactate have also been examined. Experimental results have validated the profile of our designed 2D RF pulse and off-resonance signals. To prepare for in vivo studies, our proposed pulse has been incorporated into a hyperpolarized ¹³C imaging sequence.