Quantification and cine magnetic resonance imaging of the human blood flow

By using standard, ECG-triggered, gradient echo sequences on a 1.5-T whole body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system the flow-induced phase shift in the abdominal aorta is analyzed. The instantaneous 2-D velocity profiles and the integrated flow rate are determined stroboscopically with a time resolution down to 21 ms throughout the cardiac cycle. The dynamics of the blood flow is visualized by putting these instantaneous velocity profiles in sequence in a moving picture. Results are shown for a healthy volunteer at rest. Advantages and disadvantages of the technique are discussed