Flow velocity quantification in human coronary arteries with fast, breath-hold MR angiography

Measurement of coronary artery flow velocities has, until now, largely required the use of invasive technologies. The authors have implemented a breath-hold magnetic resonance (MR) angiography technique for depicting the coronary arteries and for quantifying flow velocities. The method was tested in flow phantoms and then applied to a series of subjects: 11 subjects were studied at rest, and four were studied before and during pharmacologic stress induced by intravenous adenosine. Flow velocities at rest in the midportion of the right coronary artery were 9.9 cm/sec +/- 3.5 (n = 12); in the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery, they were significantly higher, measuring 20.5 cm/sec +/- 5.2 (n = 6). With adenosine, flow velocities typically increased at least fourfold. The authors conclude that noninvasive measurement of coronary artery flow velocities is feasible with MR angiography; this method may prove useful for determining the physiologic significance of coronary artery stenosis.