Comparison of MRI and US Assessment of Vascular Reactivity in Relation to CVD Risk Factors in Old and Young Healthy Subjects

Erica Chirico¹, Michael C. Langham, Erin K. Englund, Susan Schultz¹, Lifeng Zhang², Sandy Sehgal¹, Emile R. Mohler², Felix W. Wehrli

We evaluated an integrated MRI protocol that consists of three quantitative techniques against established ultrasound (US) measures: flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of brachial artery and intima-media thickness (IMT) of carotid arteries. MRI techniques included dynamic velocimetry and oximetry in femoral artery and vein, respectively, and regional quantification of pulse-wave velocity in the aortic arch, thoracoabdominal aorta and iliofemoral arteries. The subjects consisted of healthy young and old without a history of cardiovascular disease. Initial results indicate that age-related decline in vascular reactivity are characterized by both MRI and US.