Magnetic Resonance Imaging - A New Quality in Measurement of Pulse Wave Velocity

Arterial stiffness assessed by measuring the speed of propagation of the pulse wave (PWV) is now widely recognized as an independent predictor of morbidity and mortality on diseases of the cardiovascular system.Due to the simplicity and high predictive value of PWV, this parameter was incorporated into the recommendations of the European Society of Hypertension, and the value of PWV above 12 m/s has been added to the list of exponents of subclinical organ damage. Widely used non-invasive techniques are subject to errors arising primarily winding course of the aorta in the elderly and the overstatement of measurement in obese people. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is considered optimal, non-invasive method of imaging the aorta and large vessels elective. The main limitations of the method is the high cost and the relatively long duration of the study.The advantage of the method of magnetic resonance imaging over other techniques is the direct measurement of the test and the possibility of aortic PWV assessment on any of its level. MRI can also specify a range of other parameters, such as the susceptibility of the vessel, or elasticity.Pulse wave velocity measurement of the magnetic resonance is carried out using phase-coding sequences (PC), which allows imaging of the flow in the vessel.Due to the limited availability of this technique are still difficult to study in large groups of patients that allow users to standardize the procedure, especially for the PWV in healthy subjects.