Velocity mapping of coronary artery blood flow

Abstract

A segmentedk-space gradient-echo phase velocity mapping sequence has been developed for the measurement of through-plane and in-plane coronary artery blood flow velocity in a single breath-hold. The sequence was validated in phantom models representing stenosed and unste-nosed coronary arteries and also in the descending aortas of several normal volunteers. In-plane and through-planein vivo velocity maps of coronary arteries in normal subjects have been obtained and the problems associated with their acquisition are discussed.