Magnetic resonance velocity measurements in small arteries. Comparison with Doppler ultrasonic measurements in the aortas of normal rabbits.
OBJECTIVE
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used to measure motion. This study compares MRI blood flow velocity measurements to Doppler ultrasound velocity measurements in an animal model.


METHODS
Blood flow in the abdominal aortas of nine normal rabbits was measured using 16-frame, velocity-resolved MRI and Doppler ultrasound. The MRI data were processed into velocity spectra to aid in their interpretation.


RESULTS
Maximum velocity measurements made by range-gated Doppler ultrasound were predicted by the maximum velocity values derived from MR velocity spectra with a slope of 0.861, an intercept of -2.78 cm/second, and an R-value of 0.935 in 70 measurements.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite the longer time required for the MR measurement, the MR velocity measurement may be useful in the assessment of deep vessels or those obscured by other structures, which are difficult to measure with ultrasound.
Wendt
R E
RE
Department of Radiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030.
Rokey
R
R
Wong
W F
WF
Marks
A
A
D000818:Animals; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D011817:Rabbits; D014465:Ultrasonics; D014463:Ultrasonography