Why the study?
To acquire normal values of conventional 2D flow MRI parameters in healthy volunteers using 4D flow MRI, aiming to replace multiple single 2D flow acquisitions with a single 4D scan.
Can 4D flow MRI replace multiple single 2D flow measurements for assessing thoracic aortic flow parameters in healthy volunteers?
Can 4D flow MRI replace multiple single 2D flow measurements for assessing thoracic aortic flow parameters in healthy volunteers?
4D flow MRI can provide quantitative normal values for thoracic aortic flow parameters that are comparable to 2D flow acquisitions, potentially replacing multiple time-consuming 2D scans.
Provides reference values for 4D flow parameters in healthy adults; leaves open whether single-acquisition 4D flow replaces multiple 2D measurements in practice.
PURPOSE: To utilize 4 D flow MRI to acquire normal values of "conventional 2 D flow MRI parameters" in healthy volunteers in order to replace multiple single 2 D flow measurements with a single 4 D flow acquisition. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A kt-GRAPPA accelerated 4 D flow sequence was used. Flow volumes were assessed by forward (FFV), backward (BFV), and net flow volumes (NFV) [ml/heartbeat] and flow velocities by axial (VAX) and absolute velocity (VABS) [m/s] in 116 volunteers (58 females, 43 ± 13 years). The aortic regurgitant fraction (RF) was calculated. RESULTS: The sex-neutral mean FFV, BFV, NFV, and RF in the ascending aorta were 93.5 ± 14.8, 3.6 ± 2.8, 89.9 ± 0.6 ml/heartbeat, and 3.9 ± 2.9 %, respectively. Significantly higher values were seen in males regarding FFV, BFV, NFV and RF, but there was no sex dependency regarding VAX and VABS. The mean maximum VAX was lower (1.01 ± 0.31 m/s) than VABS (1.23 ± 0.35 m/s). We were able to determine normal ranges for all intended parameters. CONCLUSION: This study provides quantitative 4 D flow-derived thoracic aortic normal values of 2 D flow parameters in healthy volunteers. FFV, BFV, NFV, and VAX did not differ significantly from single 2 D flow acquisitions and could therefore replace time-consuming multiple single 2 D flow acquisitions. VABS should not be used interchangeably. KEY POINTS: · 4 D flow MRI can be used to replace 2 D flow MRI measurements.. · The parameter absolute velocities can be assessed by 4 D flow MRI.. · There are sex-dependent differences regarding forward, backward, net aortic blood flow and the aortic valve regurgitant fraction..
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Ebel et al. (2023) studied this question.