Validation Of Non-Invasive Mri-Based Assessment Of Central Blood Pressure In A Population Of Repaired Coarctation Patients

Introduction: Central blood pressure (CBP) is a highly prognostic cardiovascular risk factor. It can be accurately assessed invasively with catheterization, however, this is costly and has associated risks due to its invasive nature. It is therefore necessary to develop novel non-invasive techniques for accurate CBP estimation. We present the clinical validation of a new approach using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and one-dimensional (1-D) hemodynamic modelling to non-invasively determine CBP. Methods: CBP measurements were obtained by invasive catheterization in 8 patients (7 male, 20±9 years) following postnatal coarctation repair, directly followed by MRI. Gold standard invasive pressure was recorded at the ascending aorta over several breathing cycles. MRI scanning included: contrast-enhanced MRA of the chest (resolution 1.3±0.3 mm in-plane, 2.3±0.5mm slice thickness), and time-resolved 2D phase-contrast MRI at the level of the ascending and diaphragmatic aorta (89±46 time points, resolution 1.8±0...