Food intake triggered a small but significant increase in stroke volume (93 to 99 mL), peak flow (433 to 467 mL/s), and maximum velocity (118 to 131 cm/s) in the ascending aorta of healthy volunteers.
Observational (n=20)
Does food intake influence thoracic aortic flow parameters measured by 4D flow MRI in young healthy volunteers?
Food intake triggers a small but significant increase in stroke volume, flow, and velocity in the aorta, suggesting a fasting period prior to 4D flow MRI may be necessary to avoid measurements at peak postprandial hyperemia.
BACKGROUND: While there is a growing body of data using 4D flow MRI to distinguish between normal and abnormal blood flow values in the thoracic aorta, the extent of physiological variation or lack thereof is potentially undervalued. Physiological processes such as postprandial changes to hemodynamics might influence data, normal values, follow-up studies, and data compared between study sites. PURPOSE: To determine the influence of food intake on flow parameters in the thoracic aorta of young healthy volunteers by 4D flow MRI. STUDY TYPE: Prospective. SUBJECTS: 20 young healthy (10 male, 10 female) volunteers were recruited for this study. FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE: , temporal resolution 41 ms and parallel imaging with acceleration factor of 4. Acquisition time was 10.3 ± 2.4 min. ASSESSMENT: Volunteers' thoracic aorta was imaged after fasting (food ≥ 6 h, liquid ≥ 2 h) and after a meal challenge to detect changes in aortic hemodynamics (stroke volume, flow, and velocity). STATISTICAL TESTS: Statistics included calculation of relative difference (RD), two-tailed paired t-test, and Pearson coefficient. p < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: 4D flow MRI detected statistically significant postprandial increases in stroke volume (pre: 93 ± 18 mL; post: 99 ± 24 mL, RD = 5 ± 13%), peak flow (pre: 433 ± 95 mL/s; post: 467 ± 95 mL/s, RD = 9 ± 14%), peak average velocity (pre: 73 ± 18 cm/s; post: 78 ± 16 cm/s, RD = 8 ± 11%), and maximum velocity (pre: 118 ± 24 cm/s; post: 131 ± 23 cm/s, RD = 11 ± 11%); values given for ascending aorta. 74% of individuals presented with postprandial increase in peak flow and velocities throughout the thoracic aorta. DATA CONCLUSION: Food intake triggers a small but significant increase in stroke volume, flow, and velocity in the aorta in young healthy individuals. Depending on the study question and potential longitudinal comparisons, one may consider introducing a fasting period prior to 4D flow MRI to avoid measurements at peak postprandial hyperemia. EVIDENCE LEVEL: 2. TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 3, diagnostic thinking.
Balks et al. (Tue,) conducted a observational in Healthy volunteers (n=20). Meal challenge (postprandial state) vs. Fasting state (food ≥ 6 h, liquid ≥ 2 h) was evaluated on Changes in aortic hemodynamics (stroke volume, flow, and velocity). Food intake triggered a small but significant increase in stroke volume (93 to 99 mL), peak flow (433 to 467 mL/s), and maximum velocity (118 to 131 cm/s) in the ascending aorta of healthy volunteers.