Sodium 23Na-MRI reveals elevated sodium content in lower-extremity skin and adipose tissue in peripheral arterial disease

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is an atherosclerotic occlusive disease that reduces lower-limb perfusion, causes ambulatory dysfunction, and leg pain. Sodium imaging (23Na-MRI) may reveal areas of increased tissue sodium deposition related to the mechanisms of PAD dysfunction. We found that patients with PAD showed increased tissue sodium content in skin, subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), and inter-muscular adipose tissue (IMAT) compared to controls. Participants with PAD had lower SAT volume and fat content, arguing against a positive relationship between fat as the mediator of increased tissue sodium. 23Na-MRI may inform PAD mechanisms and is being investigated in response to PAD therapies.