DEtection of Cellular Inflammation With FERumoxytol in the HEART

Ferumoxytol is a 'smart' magnetic resonance contrast agent consisting of ultrasmall superparamagnetic particles of iron oxide (USPIOs) that are taken up by macrophages. Concentration of USPIOs within macrophages changes the tissue relaxation properties and this can be detected by magnetic resonance imaging using R2* maps. In a recent early proof-of-concept study, we demonstrated that macrophages could be detected with USPIOs in the penumbra and infarct zone of the myocardium in patients with a recent myocardial infarction. The investigators therefore wish to establish whether USPIOs can be used to identify cellular inflammation within the myocardium in three distinct clinical conditions that currently lack a non-invasive diagnostic imaging test: cardiac allograft rejection, viral myocarditis and cardiac sarcoidosis. If successful, this would not only provide a useful diagnostic test but would also be a method of monitoring disease progression or response to therapy.

Inclusion criteria

• One of the four conditions below:

• Patients having undergone cardiac transplant
• Patients diagnosed clinically with myocarditis of any aetiology (eg viral, septic, post chemotherapeutic etc)
• Patients clinically diagnosed with cardiac sarcoidosis
• Healthy volunteers
• Age > 18 years.

Exclusion criteria

• Contraindication to magnetic resonance imaging scanning identified from magnetic resonance imaging safety questionnaire
• Patients refusing or unable to give informed consent
• Renal failure (estimated glomerular filtration rate <30 mL/min)
• Polycythemia
• Contraindication to ferumoxytol (previous allergic drug reaction, any immune or inflammatory conditions (eg, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, history of severe asthma, eczema or other atopic allergy)), evidence of known iron overload, hemochromatosis, known hypersensitivity to ferumoxytol or its components or anaemia not caused by iron deficiency.
• Known allergy to dextran- or iron-containing compounds.
• Diagnosis of myocardial infarction within 1 month.
• Pregnancy or Breast-feeding.
• Women of child bearing age not ensuring reliable methods of contraception. Female participants of child bearing age will be asked if they are ensuring reliable methods of contraception prior to each administration of USPIO and MRI scan. If use of reliable contraception cannot be confirmed, the participant will be withdrawn.