3D characterization of cardiac conduction SYstem using iNhomogeneous mAgnetization TRAnsfer (ihMT MRI) – SYNATRA

The cardiac conduction system (CCS) enables electrical impulses throughout the heart and initiate cardiac contraction. The architecture of CCS has been implicated in ventricular fibrillation which is the leading cause of sudden cardiac death in the industrialized countries. 3D imaging of CCS is therefore of high importance to better understand cardiac arrhythmia mechanisms. The objective of the SYNATRA project is the development of an innovative contrasted 3D MRI technique using inhomogeneous magnetization transfer (ihMT) imaging at high resolution (75 µm isotropic) at ultra-high field (9.4T) to characterize healthy and pathologic hearts from larges animal models and from human donors and test feasibility at 1.5T using a dedicated high resolution coil. To achieve this ambitious project, the consortium gathers two MRI imaging teams. IHU Liryc will bring its expertise in cardiac electrophysiology and imaging at 9.4T on hearts from large animal models and human hearts. CRMBM will bring its expertise in the development of ihMT techniques.