Repeatability of whole aorta 4D flow pulse wave velocity in healthy volunteers and comparison with Marfan Syndrome patients

Pulse wave velocity (PWV) is a well-established measure to evaluate vessel wall stiffness and increases in the aorta of patients with Marfan Syndrome (MFS). With sufficient temporal resolution, 4D-flow MRI can be used for PWV calculations. In this study, we assess the repeatability of aortic PWV calculations in healthy volunteers using an open-source software tool and apply it in a MFS cohort. Our results show high repeatability of global aortic PWV, elevated PWV in MFS patients, and an association between elevated PWV and biomarkers for advanced disease.