Motivation: There is a clinical need for evaluation of deceased donor kidneys prior to transplantation. Coupling ex-vivo models with quantitative MRI may enable deceased donor kidney assessment based on flow and perfusion. Goal(s): To recreate machine perfusion conditions using an ex-vivo kidney model and assess perfusion using 4D Flow MRI and IVIM techniques. Approach: An MRI-compatible ex-vivo kidney perfusion model was developed to visualize and quantify kidney flow using quantitative MRI techniques. Results: The ex-vivo perfusion system replicated conditions observed under artificial kidney perfusion pre-transplantation. MRI-derived flow rate matched flow control parameters. Perfusion-related IVIM estimates demonstrated dependencies on perfusate flow rate. Impact: MRI compatible ex-vivo models allow us to simulate in vivo flow and perfusion in a controlled and biologically consistent manner. Using 4D flow MRI and IVIM, flow and perfusion can be investigated to evaluate kidney preservation parameters and condition.
Rice et al. (Tue,) studied this question.