Increased pulsatility is associated with higher blood flow in the cerebral microvasculature as assessed with 7T MRI

We studied blood flow pulsatility and perfusion in the cerebral microvasculature to increase the understanding of the pathophysiological processes in hypertension. By exploiting the possibilities of ultra-high-field strength (7T), utilizing phase contrast MRI and spin-echo dynamic susceptibility MRI, we focused specifically on the microvasculature. We found that a higher blood flow pulsatility in the lenticulostriate arteries is correlated with higher cerebral blood flow. Furthermore, hypertension status seems to have an effect on varying pulsatility, which seems to be counteracted by medication usage.