Quantifying Blood Flow in the Aorta

Quantifying Blood Flow in the Aorta Using Phase-Contrast 4D Flow MRI - Phase 2

This study aims to gain insights into aortic blood flow in healthy volunteers using PC 4D-flow MRI

The goal of this observational study is to obtain PC 4D flow MRI scans in seventy healthy volunteers (without any known history of cardiovascular disease) to quantify local blood flow in the thoraco-abdominal aorta and its primary side branches and extract boundary conditions for future in-vitro and in-silico studies. Furthermore, the 3D geometry of the vessels within investigated FOVs, starting from ascending aorta to internal/external iliac arteries, will be obtained by performing a separate MRI sequence.

Participants will be asked to undergo MRI scans and are asked to fill out a questionnaire regarding their age, weight, height, and gender. By relating this data to the blood flow patterns observed in the aorta, conclusions can be drawn on the differences in blood flow with gender and how aortic blood flow changes with age.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Healthy (in particular without any cardiovascular disease or history thereof) men or women
• 18 years of age or above;
• BMI ≤ 30;
• Willingness to undergo MRI scans;
• Able to provide signed informed consent (IC)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Irregular heartbeat.;
• Any history of cardiovascular disease or current cardiovascular disease;
• The standard MRI exclusion criteria (such as pacemakers, cerebral vascular clips, pregnancy, claustrophobia)