In-vitro validation of 4D flow MRI measurements with an experimental pulsatile flow model

• Published in: Diagnostic and interventional imaging 2019-01, Vol.100 (1), p.17-23
• Main Authors: David, A., Le Touze, D., Warin-Fresse, K., Paul-Gilloteaux, P., Bonnefoy, F., Idier, J., Moussaoui, S., Guerin, P., Serfaty, J.-M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 4D flow magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); Bioengineering; Blood Flow Velocity; Cardiology and cardiovascular system; Coronary Circulation - physiology; Experimental studies; Human health and pathology; Humans; Imaging; Life Sciences; Magnetic Resonance Imaging - methods; Models, Biological; Phantoms, Imaging; Phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging; Pulsatile Flow - physiology; Pulsatile flow model
• ISSN: 2211-5684; 2211-5684
• DOI: 10.1016/j.diii.2018.08.012

The purpose of this study was to assess the precision of four-dimensional (4D) phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (PCMRI) to measure mean flow and peak velocity (Vmax) in a pulsatile flow phantom and to test its sensitivity to spatial resolution and Venc. The pulsatile flow phantom consisted of a straight tube connected to the systemic circulation of an experimental mock circulatory system. Four-dimensional-PCMR images were acquired using different spatial resolutions (minimum pixel size: 1.5×1.5×1.5mm3) and velocity encoding sensitivities (up to three times Vmax). Mean flow and Vmax calculated from 4D-PCMRI were compared respectively to the reference phantom flow parameters and to Vmax obtained from two-dimensional (2D)-PCMRI. 4D-PCI measured mean flow with a precision of −0.04% to+5.46%, but slightly underestimated Vmax when compared to 2D-PCMRI (differences ranging from −1.71% to −3.85%). 4D PCMRI mean flow measurement was influenced by spatial resolution (P