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Pulse wave velocity and flow in the carotid artery versus the aortic arch: Effects of aging
Author(s) -
Kröner Eleanore S.J.,
Lamb Hildo J.,
Siebelink HansMarc J.,
Cannegieter Suzanne C.,
Boogaard Pieter J.,
Wall Ernst E.,
de Roos Albert,
Westenberg Jos J.M.
Publication year - 2014
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.24470
Subject(s) - pulse wave velocity , medicine , aortic arch , cardiology , aorta , common carotid artery , magnetic resonance imaging , blood flow , carotid arteries , blood pressure , radiology
Purpose To explore differences in arterial stiffness of the aorta and carotid artery, assessed by pulse wave velocity (PWV), to evaluate the blood flow volume distribution towards the carotid circulation and to assess the effect of aging on the coupling between aortic and carotid PWV using velocity‐encoded magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Materials and Methods Sixteen adult younger volunteers (age <30 years) and 16 older volunteers (age >45 years) underwent 3T MRI examination to assess aortic and carotid flow volumes and PWV using the transit time method. Results Aortic versus carotid PWV‐ratio was 1.2 for younger volunteers and 0.95 for older volunteers, demonstrating leveling of wall stiffness. Furthermore, flow volume per minute in the internal carotid artery was lower for older versus younger volunteers (mean volume 177 ± 42 mL/min/m 2 vs. 147 ± 32 mL/min/m 2 , P = 0.028), whereas aorta and common carotid artery flow volumes were not different. Consequently, the fraction of blood flow volume towards the brain was smaller for older versus younger volunteers (61 ± 9% versus 71 ± 8%, P = 0.002). Conclusion PWV‐leveling between aorta and carotid artery at older age is associated with a reduction in blood flow volume towards the brain. Velocity‐encoded MRI can be used to evaluate PWV and flow volume distribution in the aortic arch and the carotid circulation. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2014;40:287–293 . © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc .