Regional Quantification of Metabolic Liver Function Using Hyperpolarized [1-13C] Pyruvate MRI

Motivation: To prevent post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) it is essential to assess liver function in the future liver remnant prior to surgery, currently volumetric measurement is used as a surrogate for liver function. Goal(s): We aimed to investigate if regional metabolic liver function could be assessed non-invasively. Approach: We used hyperpolarized [1-13C] pyruvate MRI to quantify regional metabolic changes following partial portal vein ligation in pigs. Results: Results demonstrated higher pyruvate to lactate in the future liver remnant compared to the deportalized liver (P=0.002). Impact: Hyperpolarized MRI can quantify regional metabolic liver function and may be utilized to assess liver function preoperatively to predict patients in risk of PHLF.