Abstract
BackgroundFour-dimensional (4D) flow magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences with advanced parallel imaging have the potential to reduce scan time with equivalent image quality and accuracy compared with standard two-dimensional (2D) flow MRI. We compared 4D flow to standard 2D flow sequences using a constant and pulsatile flow phantom at 3 T.MethodsTwo accelerated 4D flow sequences (GRAPPA2 and k-t-GRAPPA5) were evaluated regarding the concordance of flow volumes, flow velocities, and reproducibility as well as dependency on measuring plane and velocity encoding (Venc). The calculated flow volumes and peak velocities of the phantom were used as reference standard. Flow analysis was performed using the custom-made software “Bloodline”.ResultsNo significant differences in flow volume were found between the 2D, both 4D flow MRI sequences, and the pump reference (p = 0.994) or flow velocities (p = 0.998) in continuous and pulsatile flow. An excellent correlation (R = 0.99–1.0) with a reference standard and excellent reproducibility of measurements (R = 0.99) was achieved for all sequences. A Venc overestimated by up to two times had no impact on flow measurements. However, misaligned measuring planes led to an increasing underestimation of flow volume and mean velocity in 2D flow accuracy, while both 4D flow measurements were not affected. Scan time was significantly shorter for k-t-GRAPPA5 (1:54 ± 0:01 min, mean ± standard deviation) compared to GRAPPA2 (3:56 ± 0:02 min) (p = 0.002).ConclusionsBoth 4D flow sequences demonstrated equal agreement with 2D flow measurements, without impact of Venc overestimation and plane misalignment. The highly accelerated k-t-GRAPPA5 sequence yielded results similar to those of GRAPPA2.
Highlights
Four-dimensional (4D) flow magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences with advanced parallel imaging have the potential to reduce scan time with equivalent image quality and accuracy compared with standard two-dimensional (2D) flow MRI
A further technical key setting in MRI flow measurements is a suitable choice of the velocity encoding (Venc)
We achieved a significant scan time reduction by using the k-t-generalised autocalibrating partially parallel acquisition (GRAPPA)-accelerated 4D flow sequence compared to the GRAPPA2-accelerated 4D flow sequence without any impact on measurement results
Summary
Four-dimensional (4D) flow magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences with advanced parallel imaging have the potential to reduce scan time with equivalent image quality and accuracy compared with standard two-dimensional (2D) flow MRI. Time-resolved three-dimensional (3D) phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences, named four-dimensional (4D) flow sequences, represent an emerging technique for noninvasive evaluation of the cardiovascular system with full coverage of complete vessel systems such as the thoracic aorta [1, 2]. This technique gives new insights into physiological and pathophysiological flow patterns not currently observable with conventional two-dimensional (2D) flow sequences [3]. Overestimation of the velocities within the vessel can lead to inaccurate results, and underestimation of the Venc can lead to phase wraps (aliasing) [6]
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