title: Estimation of aortic compliance using magnetic resonance pulse wave velocity measurement.
abstract: A method for compliance estimation employing magnetic resonance pulse wave velocity measurement is presented. Time-resolved flow waves are recorded at several positions along the vessel using a phase contrast sequence, and pulse wave velocity is calculated from the delay of the wave onsets. Using retrospective cardiac gating in combination with an optically decoupled electrocardiogram acquisition, a high temporal resolution of 3 ms can be achieved. A phantom set-up for the simulation of pulsatile flow in a compliant vessel is described. In the phantom, relative errors of pulse wave velocity estimation were found to be about 15%, whereas in a volunteer, larger errors were found that might be caused by vessel branches. Results of pulse wave velocity estimation agree with direct aortic distension measurements which rely on a peripheral estimate of aortic pressure and are therefore less accurate. Studies in 12 volunteers show values of pulse wave velocity consistent with the literature; in particular the well-known increase in pulse wave velocity with age was observed. Preliminary results show that the method can be applied to aortic aneurysms.
authors.affiliation: Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, Radiologische Diagnostik und Therapie, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Boese
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bock
authors.forename: S O
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Schoenberg
authors.forename: L R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Schad
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001011:Aorta / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001014:Aortic Aneurysm / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015233:Models, Statistical; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography