A new method to quantify coronary flow conditions using dynamically scaled in vitro phase contrast magnetic resonance imaging

Background Atherosclerotic coronary artery disease remains a major cause of illness and death, and coronary flow predetermines disease. Limitations in imaging technology prevent coronary flow measurements but computational fluid dynamics (CFD) need sophisticated boundary conditions for accurate flow predictions. MRI has recently been combined with CFD for larger calibre vessels, but small coronary arteries remain inaccessible. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of coronary flow measurement in 3D printed large scale coronary phantoms using phase contrast MRI (PC-MRI).