Assessment of popliteal arterial occlusive disease with 2D time-of-flight MRA.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate both morphology and blood flow in peripheral arteries with occlusive lesions using MR angiography (MRA) and velocity-encoded cine MRI.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Two-dimensional time-of-flight MRA and velocity-encoded cine MRI were performed in nine patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease. Findings on MR angiograms were verified by conventional angiography.

RESULTS

All the stenotic lesions in the popliteal arteries were depicted by MRA. The degree of the stenoses in the artery was overestimated by MRA. Major collateral circulations were demonstrated. Velocity-encoded cine MRI provided flow velocity information on the arteries above and below the stenoses. The flow velocity waveform was monophasic above and below the stenosis. The peak systolic velocity in the artery below the stenosis was reduced compared with that above the stenosis (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The combination of MRA and velocity-encoded cine MRI has clinical potential for the evaluation of peripheral arterial occlusive disease.