Automatic accurate non-invasive quantitation of blood flow, cross-sectional vessel area, and wall shear stress by modelling of magnetic resonance velocity data.
OBJECTIVE
To apply a new, automatic and non-invasive method for quantification of blood flow, dynamic cross-sectional vessel area, and wall shear stress (WSS) by in vivo magnetic resonance velocity mapping of normal subjects.


METHODS
Prospective, open study.


METHODS
Six young volunteers.


METHODS
A three-dimensional paraboloid model enabling automatic determination of blood flow, vessel distensibility and WSS was applied to blood velocity determinations in the common carotid artery. Blood flow was also determined by a manual edge detection method.


RESULTS
Using the new method, the common carotid mean blood flow was 7.28 (5.61-9.63) (mean (range)) ml/s. By the manual-method blood flow was 7.21 (5.55-9.60) ml/s. Mean luminal vessel area was 26% larger in peak systole than in diastole. Mean/peak WSS was 0.82/2.28 N/m2. Manually and automatically determined flows correlated (r2 = 0.998, p < 0.0001). WSS and peak centre velocity were associated (r2 = 0.805, p < 0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
Blood flow, luminal vessel area dilatation, and WSS can be determined by the automatic three-dimensional paraboloid method. The hypothesis of association between peak centre velocity and WSS was not contradicted by the results of the present study.
Oyre
S
S
Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery T, Aarhus University Hospital, Skejby Sygehus, Denmark.
Paaske
W P
WP
Ringgaard
S
S
Kozerke
S
S
Erlandsen
M
M
Boesiger
P
P
Pedersen
E M
EM
D000328:Adult; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D017536:Carotid Artery, Common / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D018056:Hemorheology; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D013314:Stress, Mechanical