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Interdependencies of aortic arch secondary flow patterns, geometry, and age analysed by 4-dimensional phase contrast magnetic resonance imaging at 3 Tesla

  • Magnetic Resonance
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Abstract

Objective

It was the aim to analyse the impact of age, aortic arch geometry, and size on secondary flow patterns such as helix and vortex flow derived from flow-sensitive magnetic resonance imaging (4D PC-MRI).

Methods

62 subjects (age range = 20–80 years) without circumscribed pathologies of the thoracic aorta (ascending aortic (AAo) diameter: 3.2 ± 0.6 cm [range 2.2–5.1]) were examined by 4D PC-MRI after IRB-approval and written informed consent. Blood flow visualisation based on streamlines and time-resolved 3D particle traces was performed. Aortic diameter, shape (gothic, crook-shaped, cubic), angle, and age were correlated with existence and extent of secondary flow patterns (helicity, vortices); statistical modelling was performed.

Results

Helical flow was the typical pattern in standard crook-shaped aortic arches. With altered shapes and increasing age, helicity was less common. AAo diameter and age had the highest correlation (r = 0.69 and 0.68, respectively) with number of detected vortices. None of the other arch geometric or demographic variables (for all, P ≥ 0.177) improved statistical modelling.

Conclusion

Substantially different secondary flow patterns can be observed in the normal thoracic aorta. Age and the AAo diameter were the parameters correlating best with presence and amount of vortices. Findings underline the importance of age- and geometry-matched control groups for haemodynamic studies.

Key Points

• Secondary blood flow patterns (helices, vortices) are commonly observed in the aorta

• Secondary flow patterns predominantly depend on patient age and aortic diameter

• Geometric factors show a lesser impact on blood flow patterns than age and diameter

• Future analyses of flow patterns should incorporate age- and diameter dependencies

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Acknowledgement

Dr. Markl received funding from “Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft” (DFG) Grant # MA 2383/5-1 and “Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung” (BMBF) Grant # 01EV0706. Dr. Frydrychowicz received an educational stipend from Bracco Diagnostics. Parts of the study were presented at the Deutscher Röntgenkongress 2008, Berlin (Germany) and the Joint meeting of ISMRM and ESMRMB May 2007, Berlin (Germany).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clinic for Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, Haus 40, 23538, Lübeck, Germany

    Alex Frydrychowicz

  2. Department of Radiology, Medical Physics, University Hospital Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany

    Alexander Berger, Maximilian F. Russe, Jelena Bock & Michael Markl

  3. Departments of Radiology and Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin – Madison, Madison, WI, USA

    Alejandro Munoz del Rio

  4. Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, University Hospital Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany

    Andreas Harloff

  5. Departments of Radiology and Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA

    Michael Markl

Authors
  1. Alex Frydrychowicz
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  2. Alexander Berger
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  3. Alejandro Munoz del Rio
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  4. Maximilian F. Russe
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  5. Jelena Bock
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  6. Andreas Harloff
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  7. Michael Markl
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Correspondence to Alex Frydrychowicz.

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Frydrychowicz, A., Berger, A., Munoz del Rio, A. et al. Interdependencies of aortic arch secondary flow patterns, geometry, and age analysed by 4-dimensional phase contrast magnetic resonance imaging at 3 Tesla. Eur Radiol 22, 1122–1130 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-011-2353-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-011-2353-6

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