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European Radiology

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01-04-2014 | Magnetic Resonance

Wall morphology, blood flow and wall shear stress: MR findings in patients with peripheral artery disease

Authors: Mauricio S. Galizia, Alex Barker, Yihua Liao, Jeremy Collins, James Carr, Mary M. McDermott, Michael Markl

Published in: European Radiology | Issue 4/2014

Abstract

Objectives

To investigate the influence of atherosclerotic plaques on femoral haemodynamics assessed by two-dimensional (2D) phase-contrast (PC) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with three-directional velocity encoding.

Methods

During 1 year, patients with peripheral artery disease and an ankle brachial index <1.00 were enrolled. After institutional review board approval and written informed consent, 44 patients (age, 70 ± 12 years) underwent common femoral artery MRI. Patients with contra-indications for MRI were excluded. Sequences included 2D time-of-flight, proton-density, T1-weighted and T2-weighted MRI. Electrocardiogram (ECG)-gated 2D PC-MRI with 3D velocity encoding was acquired. A radiologist classified images in five categories. Blood flow, velocity and wall shear stress (WSS) along the vessel circumference were quantified from the PC-MRI data.

Results

The acquired images were of good quality for interpretation. There were no image quality problems related to poor ECG-gating or slice positioning. Velocities, oscillatory shear stress and total flow were similar between patients with normal arteries and wall thickening/plaque. Patients with plaques demonstrated regionally increased peak systolic WSS and enhanced WSS eccentricity.

Conclusions

Combined multi-contrast morphological imaging of the peripheral arterial wall with PC-MRI with three-directional velocity encoding is a feasible technique. Further study is needed to determine whether flow is an appropriate marker for altered endothelial cell function, vascular remodelling and plaque progression.

Key Points

• Femoral plaques are associated with altered dynamics of peripheral blood flow.

• Multi-contrast MRI can investigate the presence and type of atherosclerotic plaques.

• Three-dimensional velocity-encoding phase-contrast MRI can investigate flow and wall shear stress.

• Atherosclerotic peripheral arteries demonstrate increased systolic velocities and wall shear stress.

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Title: Wall morphology, blood flow and wall shear stress: MR findings in patients with peripheral artery disease
Authors: Mauricio S. Galizia
Alex Barker
Yihua Liao
Jeremy Collins
James Carr
Mary M. McDermott
Michael Markl
Publication date: 01-04-2014
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Radiology / Issue 4/2014
Print ISSN: 0938-7994
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1084
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-013-3081-x

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Wall morphology, blood flow and wall shear stress: MR findings in patients with peripheral artery disease

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Key Points

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Key Points

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