Visualization of iliac and proximal femoral artery hemodynamics using time‐resolved 3D phase contrast MRI at 3T

Abstract

Purpose:To demonstrate the feasibility of time-resolved 3D MR velocity mapping at 3 Tesla for the visualization of vascular hemodynamics in normal iliac and femoral arteries. Materials and Methods:Electrocardiographically (ECG) synchronized three-dimensional (3D) CINE phase-contrast MRI with three-directional flow encoding was adapted to analyze flow in peripheral arteries at 3T. Visualization of peripheral arterial hemodynamics within the acquired data volume included 3D streamlines and time-resolved 3D particle traces within the major vessels and localized analysis of flow profiles using 2D-vector graphs. Data was visually compared to results from color-coded duplex ultrasound (US).Results: Global and detailed local blood flow characteristics were successfully analyzed in all subjects. In agreement with US findings, normal laminar flow patterns without flow acceleration or disturbances were visualized in all healthy individuals. In an exemplary patient measurement multiple segmental flow accelerations could be demonstrated. MRI additionally revealed complex helical flow alterations distal to a moderate stenosis. Conclusion:Due to the full spatial and temporal coverage of the arteries of interest, 3D CINE phase contrast MRI at 3T is a promising tool for the evaluation of vascular hemodynamics in peripheral arteries. Future methodological improvements will be directed to improve spatial and temporal resolution as well as quantitative data analysis. Moreover, the technique will have to be evaluated in patients in comparison to standard diagnostic tools.

Magnetic resonance velocity mapping of 3D cerebrospinal fluid flow dynamics in hydrocephalus: preliminary results

“…Several studies have demonstrated that velocity mapping is a reliable tool for detailed analysis of normal as well as abnormal blood flow features within several vessels [19][20][21][22][23]. Investigation of CSF flow in the cerebral ventricular system, however, using time-resolved 3D MR velocity mapping, has yet been performed on healthy volunteers only [24].…”

Bilateral contrast-enhanced MR angiography of the hand: diagnostic image quality of accelerated MRI using echo sharing with interleaved stochastic trajectories (TWIST)

“…While Bilecin et al suggest subsystolic cuff compression in order to hamper the contrast agent backflow and lengthen the period of selective arterial contrast-enhancement, we sought to record the natural contrast agent dynamics by employing an ultrarapid time-resolved spoiled 3D gradient echo sequence featuring parallel imaging and echo sharing [4,5]. This technique aims to accelerate image acquisition as much as possible and has been successfully applied in several vascular territories [9][10][11][12][13]. Since data undersampling is the basic clue, we applied parallel imaging with GRAPPA (generalised autocalibrating partially parallel acquisition) and thereby obtained a 3.2 fold acceleration [6].…”

The Influences of Swirl Flow on Fractional Flow Reserve in Mild/Moderate/Severe Stenotic Coronary Arterial Models

“…(1), (2) [10,14,20]. Orthogonal views of a helically sinuous tube part and a stenotic part are shown in Fig.…”

“…Swirling or helical flow is frequently observed in the coronary artery as well as several sites of the vascular system [1][2][3][4]. The aortic valve can induce swirling flow with vortex motions in the coronary artery, as shown in Fig.…”