In Vitro Validation of Rapid MR Measurement of Wave Velocity

A one-dimensional time-of-flight MR sequence, having a total acquisition time of approximately 60 ms, has been employed to determine flow-wave propagation velocities for pulsatile flow in compliant latex tubes. The results were compared with those of two independent methods and were found to be in good agreement. An extension of the same MR method was used to test the validity of the "water-hammer" relationship as a means to assess pulse pressure. Very good agreement was found with direct manometric determinations of pulse pressure.