High Resolution sup 1 H NMR Microscopy of a Dynamic System

We report the first sup 1 H NMR microimages of a dynamic system. Our results are the first in vivo measurement of blood vessel elasticity. We measured the expansion and contraction of the carotid arteries of living rats using NMR microscopy and observed the change in cross-sectional area of an artery during the heart cycle. Our protocol provides a small animal model for measuring blood vessel wall elasticity. Data were obtained with a Bruker AM360 spectrometer retrofitted with Bruker microimaging hardware and software.