Clinical Cardiology Section

Real-time MRI guided myocardial injection

This is an image of an injection of stem cells into the heart using minimally-invasive catheter techniques. The images are acquired using real-time MRI, which images both blood and soft tissue. We can see a zone of myocardial infarction in the apex of this heart, based on an apical wall motion abnormality and on a region of "delayed hyperenhancement," which indicates nonviability. The green catheter is directing a red injection needle tip, from which cells are delivered directly into the beating heart. This work emanates from my lab.