Quantification of Altered Hepatic Blood Flow with 4D Velocity Mapping During a Meal Challenge Provocation

Alejandro Roldn-Alzate¹, Eric Niespodzany¹, Alex P. Frydrychowicz¹, Benjamin R. Landgraf¹, Oliver Wieben¹, ², Scott B. Reeder¹, ²

In addition to co-registered vascular anatomy, functional information, and analysis of flow patterns, 4D velocity mapping can be used to quantify blood flow. Using time resolved PC-MRI with 3D radial undersampling (PC-VIPR), a large data volume can be assessed. Here, the ability of PC-VIPR to quantify changes in portal and splanchnic blood flow after a meal challenge was investigated. Results revealed significant increases in portal blood flow in response to the meal challenge, demonstrating the potential of PC-VIPR for monitoring of treatment such as beta-blockers and TIPS in patients with portal hypertension.