Measuring steady-state cerebral vasomotor reactivity using non-triggered phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging

To investigate cVMR by using CO2-based hypercapnic challenge and blood flow monitoring employing non-triggered phase contrast (PC) magnetic resonance imaging. Six healthy volunteers (6 male; mean age: 29 years) participated this study after providing institutionally approved consent. This study used non-triggered PC imaging to increase temporal resolution of dynamic blood flow measurements, allowing real-time monitoring of the hypercapnic challenge response. Results suggest that vasomotor reactivity measured by non-triggered PC imaging is positively associated with the concentration of inhaled CO2. This study concludes that CO2 challenge combined with non-triggered PC flow imaging is potentially useful to provide diagnostic information for patients with cerebrovascular disease.