Emerging Applications of Abdominal 4D Flow MRI

Abstract

OBJECTIVE Comprehensive assessment of abdominal hemodynamics is crucial for many clinical diagnoses but is challenged by a tremendous complexity of anatomy, normal physiology, and a wide variety of pathologic abnormalities. This article introduces 4D flow MRI as a powerful technique for noninvasive assessment of the hemodynamics of abdominal vascular territories. CONCLUSION Four-dimensional flow MRI provides clinicians with a more extensive and straightforward approach to evaluate disorders that affect blood flow in the abdomen. This review presents a series of clinical cases to illustrate the utility of 4D flow MRI in the comprehensive assessment of the abdominal circulation.

The manifestation of vortical and secondary flow in the cerebral venous outflow tract: An in vivo MR velocimetry study

“…4DFlow MRI has been used to study hemodynamics of a variety of arterial structures, ranging literally and figuratively from head to foot (Dyverfeldt et al, 2015; Markl et al, 2014; Pereira et al, 2016; Roldan-Alzate et al, 2016). Volumetric 3-component velocity-encoded measurements enable a variety of velocity-field-based analyses including streamline visualization, wall shear stress, 3D pressure difference maps, as well as turbulence-induced parameters such as turbulent kinetic energy (TKE), and energy losses.…”

Current status of the treatment of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms

“…Time-resolved 3D phase-contrast MRI with threedirectional velocity encoding, also known as 4D flow MRI, has recently emerged as a tool to more comprehensively evaluate abdominal circulation. 4D flow MRI may allow for more accurate aortic modeling in the future due to its ability to simultaneously evaluate vascular anatomy and hemodynamics (24).…”

4D-Flow MRI: Technique and Applications

“…With 4D-flow measurement, the flows in all of these vessels can be visualized in a single measurement [46].…”

“…Using 4D-flow measurement, the renal arteries can be evaluated with an accuracy that correlates well with invasive measurement via pressure wires [46]. 4D-flow measurement is also a suitable method for examining patients before and after kidney transplantation.…”

“…If 4D-flow measurement is performed before and after a meal, the changing flow conditions can be compared directly, and possible pathologies can be identified [46].…”