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Published on: February 8, 2022
Age dependence of T1 perfusion MRI-based hemodynamic parameters in human kidneys
Martine Dujardin1, Rob Luypaert, Steven Sourbron
1Radiology/BEFY, UZ Brussel, Brussels, Belgium. martine.dujardin@gmail.com
Purpose:
To determine the association between renal cortical perfusion parameters from T1-DCE magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and age in human kidney.
Materials And Methods:
Thirty-five patients (mean age: 53 years, SD = 15 years) were imaged using inversion recovery (IR)-prepared FLASH (pulse repetition time [TR] = 4.4 msec, echo time [TE] 2.2 msec, inversion time [TI] = 180 msec, FA 50 degrees , matrix 128 x 256, 0.3 sec/slice) during the injection of Gadolinium-DTPA. Tissue concentration-time courses were deconvolved. Renal blood flow (RBF), volume of distribution (RVD), and mean transit time (MTT) were derived from the resulting impulse response function.
Results:
Mean RBF, RVD, and MTT were 127 mL/min/100 mL (SD = 81 mL/min/100 mL), 40 mL/100 mL (SD 23 mL/100 mL), and 22 sec (SD = 9 sec). A significant moderately negative correlation was found between RBF and age (R = -0.447, P = 0.007), RVD and age (R = -0.420, P = 0.012). MTT and age did not show a significant correlation (R = 0.017, P = 0.924). Repeating this analysis for each gender revealed a moderate age dependence of RBF (R = -0.600 with P = 0.009) and RVD (R = -0.540 with P = 0.021) in the male group only.
Conclusion:
T1-DCE quantitative perfusion MRI was sufficiently sensitive to demonstrate a significant negative correlation of RBF and RVD with patient age. This was due to a moderate age dependence of these quantities in males that seems to be absent in females.
Insights
Renal cortical perfusion parameters, including renal blood flow (RBF) and volume of distribution (RVD), significantly decrease with age in humans, particularly in males. This age-related decline in kidney perfusion was detected using T1-DCE MRI.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Medical Imaging
- Nephrology
Background:
- Kidney function and perfusion change with age.
- Assessing renal perfusion is crucial for understanding kidney health.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) offers advanced techniques for quantitative tissue analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between renal cortical perfusion parameters and patient age.
- To evaluate the utility of T1-Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced (T1-DCE) MRI in quantifying age-related changes in kidney perfusion.
Main Methods:
- Thirty-five patients underwent T1-DCE MRI with Gadolinium-DTPA contrast administration.
- Renal blood flow (RBF), volume of distribution (RVD), and mean transit time (MTT) were calculated.
- Statistical analysis was performed to correlate perfusion parameters with patient age and gender.
Main Results:
- A significant negative correlation was observed between RBF and age (R = -0.447, P = 0.007) and RVD and age (R = -0.420, P = 0.012).
- No significant correlation was found between MTT and age (R = 0.017, P = 0.924).
- Age-dependent decreases in RBF and RVD were more pronounced in males than females.
Conclusions:
- T1-DCE quantitative perfusion MRI is sensitive to age-related declines in renal perfusion.
- The study highlights a significant negative correlation between RBF, RVD, and age, particularly in males.
- These findings suggest that T1-DCE MRI can effectively detect age-related changes in kidney perfusion.
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