Cine Phase-contrast Magnetic Resonance Imaging Research Articles

Impact of Elective Percutaneous Coronary Intervention on Global Absolute Coronary Flow and Flow Reserve Evaluated by Phase-Contrast Cine-Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Relation to Regional Invasive Physiological Indices.

Few studies have documented changes in global absolute coronary blood flow and global coronary flow reserve after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in relation to regional physiological measures. Phase-contrast cine-magnetic resonance of the coronary sinus is a promising approach to quantify global absolute coronary blood flow. We aimed to assess the impact of elective PCI on global absolute coronary blood flow and global coronary flow reserve by quantifying coronary sinus flow (CSF) using phase-contrast cine-magnetic resonance in relation to regional physiological indices. We prospectively studied 54 patients with stable angina undergoing elective PCI for a single proximal lesion. Phase-contrast cine-magnetic resonance was used to assess CSF and CSF reserve at rest and during maximum hyperemia, before and after PCI. Regional physiological indices were obtained during PCI. A complete data set was obtained in 50 patients. Hyperemic CSF increased significantly after PCI (pre-PCI, 230.2 [167.4-282.8] mL/min; post-PCI, 267.4 [224.1-346.2] mL/min; P<0.01), although 12 patients (24.0%) showed a decrease, despite successful PCI and improved fractional flow reserve. CSF reserve numerically, albeit not statistically significant (P=0.19), increased from 2.65 (1.95-3.96) to 2.98 (2.13-4.32). Patients with decreased CSF after PCI were associated with significantly greater pre-PCI hyperemic CSF, lower global coronary vascular resistance, lower regional microcirculatory resistance, and higher fractional flow reserve (all P<0.01). Fractional flow reserve-guided PCI in patients with single de novo lesions was associated with increased absolute hyperemic CSF, although 24% of patients showed decreased hyperemic CSF, despite successful and uncomplicated PCI. The present approach combining regional and global physiological assessments may provide a novel insight into the dynamic behavior of the coronary hemodynamics and microvascular function after PCI.

Hemodynamic vascular biomarkers for initiation of paraclinoid internal carotid artery aneurysms using patient-specific computational fluid dynamic simulation based on magnetic resonance imaging.

We performed computational fluid dynamics (CFD) for patients with and without paraclinoid internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysms to evaluate the distribution of vascular biomarkers at the aneurysm initiation sites of the paraclinoid ICA. This study included 35 patients who were followed up for aneurysms using 3D time of flight (TOF) magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and 3D cine phase-contrast MR imaging. Fifteen affected ICAs were included in group A with the 15 unaffected contralateral ICAs in group B. Thirty-three out of 40 paraclinoid ICAs free of aneurysms and arteriosclerotic lesions were included in group C. We deleted the aneurysms in group A based on the 3D TOF MRA dataset. We performed CFD based on MR data set and obtained wall shear stress (WSS), its derivatives, and streamlines. We qualitatively evaluated their distributions at and near the intracranial aneurysm initiation site among three groups. We also calculated and compared the normalized highest (nh-) WSS and nh-spatial WSS gradient (SWSSG) around the paraclinoid ICA among three groups. High WSS and SWSSG distribution were observed at and near the aneurysm initiation site in group A. High WSS and SWSSG were also observed at similar locations in group B and group C. However, nh-WSS and nh-SWSSG were significantly higher in group A than in group C, and nh-SWSSG was significantly higher in group A than in group B. Our findings indicated that nh-WSS and nh-SWSSG were good biomarkers for aneurysm initiation in the paraclinoid ICA.

ICP curve morphology and intracranial flow-volume changes: a simultaneous ICP and cine phase contrast MRI study in humans

BackgroundThe intracranial pressure (ICP) curve with its different peaks has been extensively studied, but the exact physiological mechanisms behind its morphology are still not fully understood. Both intracranial volume change (ΔICV) and transmission of the arterial blood pressure have been proposed to shape the ICP curve. This study tested the hypothesis that the ICP curve correlates to intracranial volume changes.MethodsCine phase contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations were performed in neuro-intensive care patients with simultaneous ICP monitoring. The MRI was set to examine cerebral arterial inflow and venous cerebral outflow as well as flow of cerebrospinal fluid over the foramen magnum. The difference in total flow into and out from the cranial cavity (Flowtot) over time provides the ΔICV. The ICP curve was compared to the Flowtot and the ΔICV. Correlations were calculated through linear and logarithmic regression. Student’s t test was used to test the null hypothesis between paired samples.ResultsExcluding the initial ICP wave, P1, the mean R2 for the correlation between the ΔICV and the ICP was 0.75 for the exponential expression, which had a higher correlation than the linear (p = 0.005). The first ICP peaks correlated to the initial peaks of Flowtot with a mean R2 = 0.88.ConclusionThe first part, or the P1, of the ICP curve seems to be created by the first rapid net inflow seen in Flowtot while the rest of the ICP curve seem to correlate to the ΔICV.

Feasibility of phase-contrast cine magnetic resonance imaging for measuring blood flow in the sheep fetus.

Phase-contrast cine MRI (PC-MRI) is the gold-standard noninvasive technique for measuring vessel blood flow and has previously been applied in the human fetal circulation. We aimed to assess the feasibility of using PC-MRI to define the distribution of the fetal circulation in sheep. Fetuses were catheterized at 119-120 days of gestation (term, 150 days) and underwent MRI at ∼123 days of gestation under isoflurane anesthesia, ventilated at a of 1.0. PC-MRI was performed using a fetal arterial blood pressure catheter signal for cardiac triggering. Blood flows were measured in the major fetal vessels, including the main pulmonary artery, ascending and descending aorta, superior vena cava, ductus arteriosus, left and right pulmonary arteries, umbilical vein, ductus venosus, and common carotid artery and were indexed to estimated fetal weight. The combined ventricular output, pulmonary blood flow, and flow across the foramen ovale were calculated from vessel flows. Intraobserver and interobserver agreement and reproducibility was assessed. Blood flow measurements were successfully obtained in 61 out of 74 vessels (82.4%) interrogated in 9 fetuses. There was good intraobserver [R = 0.998, P < 0.0001; intraclass correlation (ICC) = 0.997] and interobserver agreement (R = 0.996, P < 0.0001; ICC = 0.996). Repeated MRI measurements showed good reproducibility (R = 0.989, P = 0.0002; ICC = 0.990). We conclude that PC-MRI using fetal catheters for gating triggers is feasible in the major vessels of late gestation fetal sheep. This approach may provide a useful new tool for assessing the circulatory characteristics of fetal sheep models of human disease, including fetal growth restriction and congenital heart disease.

New imaging tools in cardiovascular medicine: computational fluid dynamics and 4D flow MRI.

Blood flow imaging is a novel technology in cardiovascular medicine and surgery. Today, two types of blood flow imaging tools are available: measurement-based flow visualization including 4D flow MRI (or 3D cine phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging), or echocardiography flow visualization software, and computer flow simulation modeling based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD). MRI and echocardiography flow visualization provide measured blood flow but have limitations in temporal and spatial resolution, whereas CFD flow calculates the flow according to assumptions instead of flow measurement, and it has sufficiently fine resolution up to the computer memory limit, and it enables even virtual surgery when combined with computer graphics. Blood flow imaging provides profound insight into the pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases, because it quantifies and visualizes mechanical stress on the vessel walls or heart ventricle. Wall shear stress (WSS) is a stress on the endothelial wall caused by the near wall blood flow, and it is thought to be a predictor of atherosclerosis progression in coronary or aortic diseases. Flow energy loss (EL) is the loss of blood flow energy caused by viscous friction of turbulent diseased flow, and it is expected to be a predictor of ventricular workload on various heart diseases including heart valve disease, cardiomyopathy, and congenital heart diseases. Blood flow imaging can provide useful information for developing predictive medicine in cardiovascular diseases, and may lead to breakthroughs in cardiovascular surgery, especially in the decision-making process.

Quantitative analysis of effects of hemodynamic stress on temporal variations of cardiac phases in models of human carotid bulbs.

In this study, we evaluated the hemodynamics of carotid artery models with carotid bulbs of various sizes using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and the Fluent CFD software. The oscillatory shear index (OSI) and flow velocity distribution were evaluated in carotid models without a carotid bulb and with carotid bulbs of known geometry (major axis of 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14mm; carotid bifurcation angle of 50°). Furthermore, the diameters of the common carotid artery, the external carotid artery, and the internal carotid artery were defined as 7.2, 4.0, and 4.5mm, respectively. The accuracy of the CFD analysis in this study was verified using a flow phantom and measuring velocities with phase-contrast cine magnetic resonance imaging. The CFD parameters were defined as follows: rigid and no-slip walls, pulsatile flow, and 0Pa of peripheral pressure. The OSI in the carotid bulb tended to show a high value during the expansion of the carotid bulb (maximum and minimum OSI: 0.11±0.08 at d bulb: 14mm; 0.0013±0.0011 at no bulb), and the region of high OSI expanded with the expansion of the carotid bulb. The flow separated near the carotid bulb, and the flow deceleration expanded downstream as the size of the bulb increased. These findings suggest that the size of the carotid bulbs contributed to the OSI because the larger bulbs exhibited higher OSI values. The relation between the OSI and the carotid bulb size could serve as a risk indicator for atherosclerosis.

Role of MRI CSF Flowmetry in Evaluation of Hydrocephalus in Pediatric Patients

Background: phase contrast MR imaging is a rapid, simple and non-invasive technique which is sensitive to even small CSF flows, and can be used to evaluate CSF flow both qualitatively and quantitatively. Cine phase contrast MR images show CSF flow in a dynamic, more easily appreciable, and in a more pleasing manner, allowing the delineation of obstruction, if present, along the portions of CSF pathway where obstruction is common (foramen of Monro, acqueduct of Sylvius) Patients and Methods: the study includes 20 patients from the pediatric population with ventriculomegaly (diagnosed by a radiological report) referred from Ain Shams Pediatric Hospital, Neurosurgery department at Ain Sahms University, clinic, and outpatients. Control group of 20 pediatric patients of matched age group underwent CSF flow study to obtain normal reference values. These patients had no hydrocephalus and came to our institute to undergo MRI for other neurological causes. CSF flowmetry was added to their study after obtaining oral informed consent from their parents. Results: our study included 20 patients, 8 males and 12 females, with age range 2 months - 12 years and average age 3.5 years old. All patients included were diagnosed with hydrocephalus by a previous radiological report. All patients underwent conventional MRI brain and CSF flowmetry. Patients were given diagnosis based on findings of conventional MR images, and were categorized into groups according to their underlying etiologies. 9 patients had aqueductal stenosis, 4 patients had atrophy, 2 patients had communicating hydrocephalus, 2 patients had Arnold Chiari malformation, 1 patient had Dandy-Walker variant, 1 patient had obstruction at foramen of Monro, and 1 had obstruction at foramen of Magendi. CSF flowmetry was added to evaluate the cause of hydrocephalus. Conclusion: phase contrast MR imaging is a rapid, simple and non-invasive technique which is sensitive to even small CSF flows, and can be used to evaluate CSF flow both qualitatively and quantitatively, and could be used in conjunction with conventional MRI in assessment of cases of hydrocephalus.

The Relationship of Static Tibial Tubercle–Trochlear Groove Measurement and Dynamic Patellar Tracking

Background: The tibial tubercle to trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance is used for screening patients with a variety of patellofemoral joint disorders to determine who may benefit from patellar medialization using a tibial tubercle osteotomy. Clinically, the TT-TG distance is predominately based on static imaging with the knee in full extension; however, the predictive ability of this measure for dynamic patellar tracking patterns is unknown. Purpose: To determine whether the static TT-TG distance can predict dynamic lateral displacement of the patella. Study Design: Cohort study (Diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2. Methods: The static TT-TG distance was measured at full extension for 70 skeletally mature subjects with (n = 32) and without (n = 38) patellofemoral pain. The dynamic patellar tracking patterns were assessed from approximately 45° to 0° of knee flexion by use of dynamic cine-phase contrast magnetic resonance imaging. For each subject, the value of dynamic lateral tracking corresponding to the exact knee angle measured in the static images for that subject was identified. Linear regression analysis determined the predictive ability of static TT-TG distance for dynamic patellar lateral displacement for each cohort. Results: The static TT-TG distance measured with the knee in full extension cannot accurately predict dynamic lateral displacement of the patella. There was weak predictive ability among subjects with patellofemoral pain (r2 = 0.18, P = .02) and no predictive capability among controls. Among subjects with patellofemoral pain and static TT-TG distances 15 mm or more, 8 of 13 subjects (62%) demonstrated neutral or medial patellar tracking patterns. Conclusion: The static TT-TG distance cannot accurately predict dynamic lateral displacement of the patella. A large percentage of patients with patellofemoral pain and pathologically large TT-TG distances may have neutral to medial maltracking patterns.

Late post-AVR progression of bicuspid aortopathy: link to hemodynamics.

The ascending aortic dilatation may progress after aortic valve replacement (AVR) in bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) patients. Our aim was to evaluate rheological flow patterns and histological characteristics of the aneurysmal aorta in BAV patients at the time of reoperative aortic surgery. 13 patients (mean age: 42 ± 9 years, 10 (77%) male) with significant progression of proximal aortopathy after isolated AVR surgery for BAV disease (i.e., 16.7 ± 8.1 years post-AVR) were identified by cardiac phase-contrast cine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in our hospital. A total of nine patients (69%) underwent redo aortic surgery. Based on the MRI data, the aortic area of the maximal flow-induced stress (jet sample) and the opposite site (control sample) were identified and corresponding samples were collected intraoperatively. Histological sum-score values [i.e. aortic wall changes were graded based on a summation of seven histological criteria (each scored from 0 to 3)] were compared between these samples. Mean proximal aortic diameter at MRI follow-up was 55 ± 6mm (range 47-66mm). Preoperative cardiac MRI demonstrated eccentric systolic flow pattern directed towards right-lateral/right posterior wall of the proximal aorta in 9/13 (69%) patients. Histological sum-score values were significantly higher in the jet sample vs control sample (i.e., 8.3 ± 3.8 vs 5.6 ± 2.4, respectively, p = 0.04). Hemodynamic factors may still be involved in the late progression of bicuspid aortopathy even after isolated AVR surgery for BAV disease.

Patient-specific assessment of hemodynamics by computational fluid dynamics in patients with bicuspid aortopathy

ObjectiveHemodynamics related to eccentric blood flow may factor into the development of bicuspid aortic valve aortopathy. We investigated wall shear stress distribution by means of magnetic resonance imaging–based computational fluid dynamics in patients with a bicuspid aortic valve. MethodsIncluded were 12 patients with a bicuspid aortic valve (aortic stenosis, n = 11; root enlargement, n = 1). Three patients with a normal tricuspid aortic valve (arch aneurysm, n = 1; descending aortic aneurysm, n = 2) were included for comparison. The thoracic aorta geometry was reconstructed by means of 3-dimensional computed tomography angiography, and the bicuspid aortic valve orifice was modeled. Flow rates at the sinotubular junction and 3 aortic branches were measured at various time points by cine phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging to define boundary conditions for computational fluid dynamics, and the flow was simulated. ResultsBicuspid aortic valve cusp configurations were type 0 lateral (n = 4), type 0 anterior-posterior (n = 2), type 1 L-R (n = 4), and type 1 R-N (n = 2). Abnormal aortic helical flow was seen in the ascending aorta and transverse arch in all patients with bicuspid aortic valves and was right handed in 11 patients (91%). No such flow was seen in the patients with tricuspid aortic valves. The patients with bicuspid aortic valves were likely to have jet flow/wall impingement against the greater curvature of the proximal ascending aorta, resulting in remarkably increased wall shear stress around the impingement area. ConclusionsComputational fluid dynamics simulation is useful for precise evaluation of hemodynamics related to bicuspid aortic valve aortopathy. Such evaluation will advance our understanding of the disease pathophysiology and may facilitate molecular biological investigation.

Patellofemoral Kinematics and Tibial Tuberosity–Trochlear Groove Distances in Female Adolescents With Patellofemoral Pain

Background: Patellofemoral pain (PFP) is a prevalent disorder among female adolescents. Overuse is frequently cited as the cause of pain for this population. What is currently unclear, however, is if the patella demonstrates abnormal tracking patterns relative to the femoral trochlear groove in female adolescents with PFP. Purpose: The aim of this case-control study was to determine if abnormal patellar tracking patterns are present in female adolescents with PFP. The secondary aim was to identify if an increased tibial tuberosity–trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance is associated with the observed kinematic patterns. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Twenty female adolescent knees from 12 patients with PFP and 20 age-matched female knees from 13 healthy controls were recruited for this study. Patellofemoral kinematics (eg, lateral patellar displacement) during a repetitive knee extension-flexion maneuver was quantified by dynamic cine phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Static MRI scans were used to determine the TT-TG distance. Results: Relative to the control cohort, female adolescents with PFP demonstrated significantly greater lateral displacement at 10° (3.2 mm; P < .001), 20° (2.3 mm; P < .001), and 30° (1.7 mm; P = .014) of knee flexion. A subgroup within this cohort (7 knees from 5 patients) demonstrated extreme lateral maltracking >2 SDs of the mean of the control cohort. This subgroup also demonstrated a greater TT-TG distance relative to the controls (Δ = 4.2 mm; P = .001). Conclusion: This study demonstrates abnormal lateral patellar displacement in the absence of patellar tilt in female adolescents with PFP. Because all adolescents from both cohorts participated in impact sports, it appears that rigorous athletic training alone is inadequate to produce symptoms in this population. Rather, PFP may derive from a combination of physical activity in the context of pathological kinematics. Clinical Relevance: Abnormal patellar tracking patterns and abnormal static alignment have been shown to contribute to the etiology of patellofemoral pain in adults. This study demonstrates that pathologic patellar tracking patterns are present in adolescent females with patellofemoral pain.

Cervical compressive myelopathy: flow analysis of cerebrospinal fluid using phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging.

To evaluate cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow in cervical compressive myelopathy (CCM), by both quantitative and qualitative analyses, using 3T cine phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (cine MRI). From September, 2014 to June, 2015, we enrolled 45 subjects (18 women and 27 men, mean age, 61.7±13.4years) to undergo cervical cine MRI. The subjects were divided into three groups: no stenosis and cervical stenosis with and without intramedullary T2 hyperintensity. We measured maximal CSF velocity, and 12 CSF velocity waveforms were plotted per subject. Two readers independently assessed the CSF waveform shape (0 absent; 1 serrated; 2 bi-directional with small amplitude; and 3 normal bi-directional waveform) and the CSF motion pattern (0 absent; 1 interrupted; and 2 intact). The numbers of 12 waveform shapes were summed to yield a CSF waveform score. Linear mixed model and ROC curve analyses were used for statistical analyses. Maximal CSF velocity was significantly lower in CCM (marginal mean, 2.72cm/s) than in stenosis without intramedullary T2 hyperintensity (3.27cm/s, p=0.027) and no stenosis (3.80cm/s, p<0.001). Bi-phasic CSF motion was lost in cervical stenosis. CSF waveform scores of 17 (area under curve (AUC), 0.797; p=0.003) and 16.5 (AUC, 0.790; p=0.004) could predict Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score corresponding to CCM. Maximal CSF velocity and CSF waveform score on cine MRI decreased in CCM and was correlated with the JOA score. Thus, both quantitative and qualitative analyses using cine MRI could effectively demonstrate CSF flow alterations in CCM.

Evaluation of aqueductal cerebrospinal fluid flow dynamics with phase-contrast cine magnetic resonance imaging in normal pediatric cases

PurposeThis study aimed to determine differences according to age groups and gender in the parameters of aqueductal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow in childhood using phase-contrast cine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) method. Materials and methodsThis prospective study included 47 boys and 36 girls for a total of 83 healthy children. The cases were divided into three groups depending on age as infants (1–12 months), children (12–120 months), and adolescents (120–204 months). To quantitatively evaluate CSF flow, images in the transverse plane were taken at the cerebral aqueduct level using the phase-contrast MR angiography technique in a 1.5-T MR unit. Peak and average velocity (cm/s), cranial direction, caudal direction and net volume (ml), and aqueduct area (mm2) were calculated. To assess differences between the groups, a one-way analysis of variance and least significant difference tests were used. ResultsA statistically significant difference was determined between children and adolescents in peak velocity and caudal direction volume (P=.012 and P=.039, respectively) and between infants and children in cranial direction volume (P=.036). Peak velocity, cranial direction, and net volume were higher in boys (P=.050, P=.016, and P=.029, respectively). There were no differences by age and gender in the aqueduct area. ConclusionIn conclusion, this study determined the normal values for the CSF flow parameters of velocity, volume, and aqueduct area using phase-contrast MRI in healthy children. Velocity and volume parameters varied according to age and sex and were not affected in the aqueductal area.

Head movement, an important contributor to human cerebrospinal fluid circulation

The suboccipital muscles are connected to the upper cervical spinal dura mater via the myodural bridges (MDBs). Recently, it was suggested that they might work as a pump to provide power for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) circulation. The purpose of this study was to investigate effects of the suboccipital muscles contractions on the CSF flow. Forty healthy adult volunteers were subjected to cine phase-contrast MR imaging. Each volunteer was scanned twice, once before and once after one-minute-head-rotation period. CSF flow waveform parameters at craniocervical junction were analyzed. The results showed that, after the head rotations, the maximum and average CSF flow rates during ventricular diastole were significantly increased, and the CSF stroke volumes during diastole and during entire cardiac cycle were significantly increased. This suggested that the CSF flow was significantly promoted by head movements. Among the muscles related with head movements, only three suboccipital muscles are connected to the upper cervical spinal dura mater via MDBs. It was believed that MDBs might transform powers of the muscles to CSF. The present results suggested that the head movements served as an important contributor to CSF dynamics and the MDBs might be involved in this mechanism.

Higher CHADS2 score is associated with impaired coronary flow reserve: A study using phase contrast cine magnetic resonance imaging

BackgroundThe presence of coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) is an important prognostic marker for coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the CHADS2 score is associated with CMD evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Materials and methodsOne hundred forty three patients with known or suspected CAD (mean age 70.3±9.5years) were enrolled. All patients did not have any significant coronary stenosis on X-ray coronary angiography (CAG) at the time of MRI acquisition. By using a 1.5T MRI scanner, breath-hold phase contrast cine MRI images of coronary sinus (CS) were obtained to assess the blood flow of CS both at rest and during adenosine triphosphate (ATP) infusion. Coronary flow reserve (CFR) was calculated as CS blood flow during ATP infusion divided by CS blood flow at rest. CMD was defined as CFR<2.5 according to a previous study. Patients were allocated to four groups based on the CHADS2 score (group1: CHADS2 score=0, group2: CHADS2 score=1; group3: CHADS2 score=2, and group4: CHADS2 score≥3). ResultsMean CFR was 2.81±0.95 (77.6±32.7mL/min at rest; 208.2±86.5mL/min during ATP infusion, p<0.001). Patients with higher CHAD2 score had lower CFR. In the multiple logistic regression analysis, CHADS2 score was independently associated with CFR (odds ratio=0.61, 95% confidence interval: 0.37–0.99, p=0.049). ConclusionsHigher CHADS2 score was significantly associated with lower CFR evaluated by phase contrast cine MRI.

Synchronous MRI of muscle motion induced by electrical stimulation.

Assessing the functionality of muscle fibers is essential to monitor both pathological and physiological processes. Here, we present a new method for accurate, quantitative measurement of muscle contraction with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using an electrical muscle stimulator (EMS), hence allowing the direct assessment of muscle kinematics. A commercially available EMS device was used to induce involuntary periodic muscle contraction of the vastus lateralis muscle (VL) synchronized with high-temporal-resolution cine phase contrast MRI acquisition at 3T. The proposed method was evaluated in ten male volunteers at varying levels of stimulation (10-18 mA) and maximum velocity, strain, and strain rate were calculated offline. Artifact-free velocity, strain and strain rate maps were produced and were consistent across the volunteers. Quantitatively, all parameters varied significantly at different levels of stimulation, in an approximately power-law dependence on the stimulation current. At 18 mA maximum contraction speeds at the beginning of the contraction were 4.28 ± 2.64 cm/s; principal strain was 0.30 ± 0.12; and positive in-plane strain rate was 0.25 ± 0.14 s-1 . MRI of EMS-controlled involuntary muscle contraction is feasible and allows offline calculation of velocity, strain and strain rate maps, which appear to depend significantly on the stimulation current used. Magn Reson Med 77:664-672, 2017. © 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.

Computational fluid dynamic simulation of human carotid artery bifurcation based on anatomy and volumetric blood flow rate measured with magnetic resonance imaging.

Blood flow patterns and local hemodynamic parameters have been widely associated with the onset and progression of atherosclerosis in the carotid artery. Assessment of these parameters can be performed noninvasively using cine phase-contrast (PC) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In addition, in the last two decades, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation in three dimensional models derived from anatomic medical images has been employed to investigate the blood flow in the carotid artery. This study developed a workflow of a subject-specific CFD analysis using MRI to enhance estimating hemodynamics of the carotid artery. Time-of-flight (TOF) MRI scans were used to construct three-dimensional computational models. PC-MRI measurements were utilized to impose the boundary condition at the inlet and a 0-dimensional lumped parameter model was employed for the outflow boundary condition. The choice of different viscosity models of blood flow as a source of uncertainty was studied, by means of the axial velocity, wall shear stress, and oscillatory shear index. The sequence of workflow in CFD analysis was optimized for a healthy subject using PC-MRI. Then, a patient with carotid artery stenosis and its hemodynamic parameters were examined. The simulations indicated that the lumped parameter model used at the outlet gives physiologically reasonable values of hemodynamic parameters. Moreover, the dependence of hemodynamics parameters on the viscosity models was observed to vary for different geometries. Other factors, however, may be required for a more accurate CFD analysis, such as the segmentation and smoothness of the geometrical model, mechanical properties of the artery's wall, and the prescribed velocity profile at the inlet.

The Role of Cine Flow Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Patients with Chiari 0 Malformation.

To define the role of phase-contrast cine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in deciding the therapeutic strategy and underlying pathophysiology resulting in syrinx formation in patients with Chiari type 0 malformation. Seven patients who were admitted to our clinic with the diagnosis of Chiari 0 malformation from January 2005 to July 2016 were enrolled in the study. All patients underwent a detailed preoperative neurological examination. Entire neuroaxis MRI and phase-contrast cine MRI were obtained preoperatively and postoperatively. Seven patients (5 female and 2 male) with Chiari type 0 malformation fulfilled the inclusion criteria. All of the patients had absent cine flow at the craniovertebral junction except two patients. These five patients underwent surgical interventions; suboccipital decompression and duraplasty. All of them showed both clinical and radiological improvement in the postoperative period. Cine flow MRI appears to be a useful tool in the management of patients with Chiari 0 malformation. There was a good correlation between the clinical presentation and cine flow preoperatively, and between clinical improvement and cine flow in the postoperative period.

Portal hypertension in patients with cirrhosis: indirect assessment of hepatic venous pressure gradient by measuring azygos flow with 2D-cine phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging.

To measure azygos, portal and aortic flow by two-dimensional cine phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (2D-cine PC MRI), and to compare the MRI values to hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) measurements, in patients with cirrhosis. Sixty-nine patients with cirrhosis were prospectively included. All patients underwent HVPG measurements, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and 2D-cine PC MRI measurements of azygos, portal and aortic blood flow. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were used to evaluate the correlation between the blood flow and HVPG. The performance of 2D-cine PC MRI to diagnose severe portal hypertension (HVPG ≥ 16mmHg) was determined by receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis, and area under the curves (AUC) were compared. Azygos and aortic flow values were associated with HVPG in univariate linear regression model. Azygos flow (p < 10(-3)), aortic flow (p = 0.001), age (p = 0.001) and presence of varices (p < 10(-3)) were independently associated with HVPG. Azygos flow (AUC = 0.96 (95% CI [0.91-1.00]) had significantly higher AUC than aortic (AUC = 0.64 (95% CI [0.51-0.77]) or portal blood flow (AUC = 0.40 (95% CI [0.25-0.54]). 2D-cine PC MRI is a promising technique to evaluate significant portal hypertension in patients with cirrhosis. • Noninvasive HVPG assessment can be performed with MRI azygos flow. • Azygos MRI flow is an easy-to-measure marker to detect significant portal hypertension. • MRI flow is more specific that varice grade to detect portal hypertension.

Peak flow velocities in the ascending aorta-real-time phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging vs. cine magnetic resonance imaging and echocardiography.

This prospective study of eight healthy volunteers evaluates peak flow velocities (PFV) in the ascending aorta using real-time phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in comparison to cine phase-contrast MRI and echocardiography. Flow measurements by echocardiography and cine phase-contrast MRI with breath-holding were performed according to clinical standards. Real-time phase-contrast MRI at 40 ms temporal resolution and 1.3 mm in-plane resolution was based on highly undersampled radial fast low-angle shot (FLASH) sequences with image reconstruction by regularized nonlinear inversion (NLINV). Evaluations focused on the determination of PFV. Linear regressions and Bland-Altman plots were used for comparisons of methods. When averaged across subjects, real-time phase-contrast MRI resulted in PFV of 120±20 cm s(-1) (mean ± SD) in comparison to 122±16 cm s(-1) for cine MRI and 124±20 cm s(-1) for echocardiography. The maximum deviations between real-time phase-contrast MRI and echocardiography ranged from -20 to +14 cm s(-1) (cine MRI: -10 to +12 cm s(-1)). Thus, in general, real-time phase-contrast MRI of cardiac outflow revealed quantitative agreement with cine MRI and echocardiography. The advantages of real-time MRI are measurements during free breathing and access to individual cardiac cycles.