Four-dimensional magnetic resonance velocity mapping of blood flow patterns in the aorta in patients with atherosclerotic coronary artery disease compared to age-matched normal subjects.

PURPOSE

To test the hypothesis that age and atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (CAD) may influence aortic blood flow patterns.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 21 patients with CAD, 37-86 years old, were studied, together with 20 age-matched normal subjects. Time-resolved, three-direction velocity data over an entire volume were obtained with sequential single-slice two-dimensional cardiac-gated magnetic resonance (MR) velocity-encoded phase-contrast sequences.

RESULTS

In both normal subjects and CAD patients, the time it took for particles to travel from aortic valve to descending aorta was significantly longer in the elderly age group than in the younger (37-46 years old). This time was significantly longer in patients than in normal subjects. Systolic velocities were significantly higher in young normal subjects than in elderly normal subjects, and significantly lower in CAD patients than in age-matched normal subjects. Retrograde velocity was higher in CAD patients than in normal subjects, and higher in elderly CAD patients than in young.

CONCLUSION

CAD patients have abnormal blood flow patterns in the aorta compared with age-matched normal subjects, especially young patients ages 37-46. The aging process has a similar effect on blood flow patterns as atherosclerosis. Ascending aorta flow is chaotic in some very elderly normal subjects and in CAD patients of all ages. Chaotic aortic flow may result in reduced blood flow into the coronary arteries.