Magnetic Resonance Imaging has the potential to become the new gold standard in the management of cardiovascular disease, particularly in the assessment of arterial lesions and post-intervention restenosis. NiTi stents exhibit superior MRI compatibility and allow direct MR imaging through the stented area. In the present study, pulsatile in-vitro flow measuremnts were obtained by Magnetic Resonance Phase-Velocity mapping (MR-PVM) through a nickel-titanium alloy stent with different grades of stenosis: a) 75%, 90% (symmetric) and 50% (asymmetric). The results showed clear visibility of the lumen through the stenosis and good correlation of the phase velocity maps through the stent/stenosis when compared with independent calculations of flow. The detection and evaluation of instent restenosis using these techniques could provide a non-invasive means of screening for further management of patients.
NON-INVASIVE QUANTIFICATION OF CARDIAC OUTPUT WITH PHASE VELOCITY MAPPING IN PATIENTS WITH PULMONARY HYPERTENSION
