Methods for in vivo evaluation of physiological conditions and/or organ or system function including methods to evaluate cardiopulmonary disorders such as chronic heart failure using polarized 129Xe

摘要

In certain embodiments, methods of the present invention obtain NMR spectroscopy signal data that corresponds to the behavior of the polarized ¹²⁹Xe at a selected site(s) in selected environments in vivo. The gas exchange signal data can be used to evaluate: (a) the thickness of a barrier, such as a membrane, lining, wall or width of a lumen; (b) the operational condition or function of a membrane, body system or portion thereof; (c) cerebral perfusion; and/or (c) the efficacy of a therapeutic treatment used to treat a diagnosed disorder, disease, or condition. Thus, the present invention provides methods for screening and/or diagnosing a disorder or disease, and/or methods for monitoring the efficacy of therapeutics administered to subject to treat a disorder or disease.