Quantitative Assessment of Average Velocity in Inferior Vena Cava by Phase-display MR Imaging

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Abstract
A technique for measuring average velocity in the inferior vena cava (IVC) by using phase-display magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is described. Fifteen healthy subjects were imaged, and the velocities and spectra obtained by MR were compared with pulsed Doppler results. Distortions of the “zebra-striped” images obtained along the axis of the vessel were measured at the same level of the IVC as in pulsed Doppler. Measurements of average velocities in the IVC made by the two methods were very similar, and velocity curves obtained during the cardiac cycle were superimposable. Phase-display MR imaging has the potential to noninvasively assess blood flow in large vessels as accurately as pulsed Doppler.