Velocity mapping of the aortic flow at 9.4 T in healthy mice and mice with induced heart failure using time-resolved three-dimensional phase-contrast MRI (4D PC MRI)

P.R. Bovenkamp, T. Brix, F. Lindemann, R. Holtmeier, D. Abdurrachim, M.T. Kuhlmann, G.J. Strijkers, J. Stypmann, K.H. Hinrichs, V. Hörr

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

    14 Citations (Scopus)
    584 Downloads (Pure)

    Abstract

    Objectives: In this study, we established and validated a time-resolved three-dimensional phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging method (4D PC MRI) on a 9.4 T small-animal MRI system. Herein we present the feasibility of 4D PC MRI in terms of qualitative and quantitative flow pattern analysis in mice with transverse aortic constriction (TAC). Materials and methods: 4D PC FLASH images of a flow phantom and mouse heart were acquired at 9.4 T using a four-point phase-encoding scheme. The method was compared with slice-selective PC FLASH and ultrasound using Bland–Altman analysis. Advanced 3D streamlines were visualized utilizing Voreen volume-rendering software. Results: In vitro, 4D PC MRI flow profiles showed the transition between laminar and turbulent flow with increasing velocities. In vivo, 4D PC MRI data of the ascending aorta and the pulmonary artery were confirmed by ultrasound, resulting in linear regressions of R2 > 0.93. Magnitude- and direction-encoded streamlines differed substantially pre- and post-TAC surgery. Conclusions: 4D PC MRI is a feasible tool for in vivo velocity measurements on high-field small-animal scanners. Similar to clinical measurement, this method provides a complete spatially and temporally resolved dataset of the murine cardiovascular blood flow and allows for three-dimensional flow pattern analysis.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)315-327
    Number of pages13
    JournalMagnetic Resonance Materials in Physics, Biology and Medicine
    Volume28
    Issue number4
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 8 Nov 2014

    Keywords

    • Blood flow velocity
    • Cardiovascular system
    • MRI
    • Small-animal imaging

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Velocity mapping of the aortic flow at 9.4 T in healthy mice and mice with induced heart failure using time-resolved three-dimensional phase-contrast MRI (4D PC MRI)'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this