A number of previous studies have demonstrated the potential of ¹H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H-MRS) for non-invasive assessment of myocardial triglyceride (TG) content ^1,2. The improved availability of high field (3T) MR systems in clinical routine has facilitated more precise measurements of myocardial tissue metabolites, as signal intensity is augmented according to field strength.

The use of double triggered (ECG- and respiratory motion gating) ¹H-MRS enlarges the field of potential clinical application, including cardiac examinations. A strong correlation between in vivo (¹H-MRS) and ex vivo myocardial triglyceride measurements has been shown before ³.

The aim of the present study was to analyse the concentration of myocardial TG metabolites in healthy subjects of both genders, to assess potential gender-differences, as well as to determine gender-specific myocardial TG levels.