Premium
Phase‐contrast MRI‐based elastography technique detects early hypertensive changes in ex vivo porcine aortic wall
Author(s) -
Woodrum David A.,
Herrmann Joerg,
Lerman Amir,
Romano Anthony J.,
Lerman Lilach O.,
Ehman Richard L.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
journal of magnetic resonance imaging
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.563
H-Index - 160
eISSN - 1522-2586
pISSN - 1053-1807
DOI - 10.1002/jmri.21702
Subject(s) - ex vivo , magnetic resonance elastography , elastin , medicine , elastography , aorta , magnetic resonance imaging , abdominal aorta , ultrasound , in vivo , radiology , pathology , microbiology and biotechnology , biology
Purpose To measure the elastic properties of ex vivo porcine aortas in control and hypertensive groups using a phase contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)‐based elastography technique. Materials and Methods Female domestic pigs were randomized to a normal control group (N; n = 5) or a renovascular hypertension group (HT; n = 5) for the duration of 3 months. Mean arterial pressure was significantly higher in the hypertension group than in the control group (173 ± 12 vs. 115 ± 11 mmHg, P ≤ 0.05). The animals were euthanized after 3 months of hypertension and abdominal aortas harvested. The ex vivo aortic samples were then examined using a phase‐contrast MRI‐based elastography technique. Results The Young's modulus‐wall thickness product, a reflection of vascular stiffness, was significantly higher in the hypertension group than in the control group (0.571 ± 0.080 vs. 0.419 ± 0.026, P < 0.05). Histological analysis and staining confirmed increased intima‐media thickness and collagen content in the hypertensive aorta, while elastin staining showed no difference. Conclusion The current study shows that MR elastography offers a method to study the physiologic changes in the arterial wall secondary to early hypertension. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2009;29:583–587. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.