Flow velocity and volume measurement of superior and inferior mesenteric artery with cine phase contrast magnetic resonance imaging.

The flow velocity and volume of the superior and inferior mesenteric arteries (SMA, IMA) were measured with cine phase contrast magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in five healthy volunteers. Each volunteer was first measured in a fasting state, and then one, two, and three hours after a meal. The average SMA flow volume of the volunteers was 230.3 +/- 46.8 ml/min (mean +/- standard error) during the fasting state, and 714.7 +/- 207.7 ml/min, 339.2 +/- 85.7 ml/min, and 263.8 +/- 21.0 ml/min, respectively, at one, two, and three hours postmeal. The increase at one hour postmeal was statistically significant (p < 0.05). The corresponding flow measurements in the IMA were 63.1 +/- 11.2 ml/min, 67.6 +/- 11.2 ml/min, 57.9 +/- 8.6 ml/min, and 53.2 +/- 6.8 ml/min. These values do not represent a statistically significant flow volume change in the IMA. In all volunteers, the SMA volumetric flow increased the most one hour after the food challenge (72-400% relative to baseline). Diastolic velocity in the SMA increased significantly one hour postmeal, but systolic velocity did not change significantly. The IMA did not demonstrate a significant change in either systolic or diastolic velocity. The difference between the SMA and IMA in the way of reacting against the food challenge is thought to represent the difference between the requirements of small and large intestine for blood supply after the food challenge. These data demonstrate the possibility of this modality for the assessment of conditions such as chronic mesenteric ischemia.