Stenosis Flow: Comparison of a Generalized Navier-Stokes Model & Phase Contrast MRI

Alex J. Barker¹, Jelena Bock¹, Michael Markl¹

The elevated velocities and accelerations present in stenosis flow phantoms replicate abnormal flow conditions present in a number of valvular and vascular pathologies. These conditions prove ideal for flow-sensitive sequence development and artifact characterization. However, it is difficult and time consuming to obtain velocity field ground truths, often requiring the implementation of CFD. Thus, a flexible integral-energy generalization of the Navier-Stokes equations is presented and compared to MR measurements. This framework provides a method to obtain stenosis velocity fields in which the flexible inputs are geometry, viscosity, and flow rate.