Analysis of Flow in Artificial Stenosis Models of Mid-Sized Arteries Using 3D PC-MRI

Frank G. Zllner¹, Stefan Scheuer^1,2, Erik Tumat¹, Lothar R. Schad¹

The aim of this work was to investigate whether 3D PC-MRI could be applied to support the grading of stenosis in med-sized arteries. Using a specially constructed flow phantom and a stenosis model with tube diameter of 8 mm and a stenosis of 50%, experiments at different flow rates (180 - 640 ml/s), slice thickness (1 4 mm), field strength (1.5 and 3.0 T) were performed. Results show that examinations should be performed at high field (3.0 T) and at flow rates up to 500 ml/min without hampering the measurements by areas of signal loss. 3D PC-MRI of mid-sized vessels with stenosis is feasible for certain flow rates. The presented results could be seen as guidance for in vivo situations to assess if an examination of a patient is reasonable in terms of outcome.