Quantitative Placental R2* Mapping on Rhesus Macaques with Ischemic Injury Model

Placental R2* mapping is a non-invasive, quantitative biomarker with the potential to identify deficiency in uteroplacental oxygenation and blood flow, which would be of significant value in predicting and monitoring pregnancy complications. We introduce a novel thrombotic placental injury model and report mean values, histograms, and spatial distribution of baseline R2* at different gestational ages in healthy and ischemic rhesus macaque placenta based on blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) MR imaging. Higher increases in mean values and different spatial patterns of R2* are observed in placenta with induced ischemia.