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Pulsatility Assessment of Cerebral Perforating Arteries Using Submillimeter‐Resolution Dual‐ VENC Phase‐Contrast MRI at 3T

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT Background Dysfunction of cerebral perforating arteries is a major contributor to cerebral small vessel disease. Developing a reliable MRI technique for assessing cerebral perforating arteries on widely accessible 3T systems would be advantageous. Purpose To evaluate the feasibility and reliability of dual‐velocity encoding (dual‐VENC) PC‐MRI at 3T for assessing pulsatility of cerebral perforating arteries. Study Type Prospective. Subjects Twelve healthy young adults (2 female, 24.0 ± 3.99 years) and 31 older adults with and without vascular risk factors (21 female, 67.72 ± 8.48 years). Field Strength/Sequence Dual‐VENC 2D PC‐MRI at 3T and 7T. Assessment The number of perforators (N perforator ) and pulsatility index (PI) measured using 3T dual‐VENC PC‐MRI were evaluated through test–retest and comparison against those by 7T dual‐VENC PC‐MRI on the younger participants. The associations of PI and N perforator with age, cognition, and vascular risk factors were investigated in the elderly cohort. Statistical Tests Paired t ‐tests, two‐sample t ‐tests, Bland–Altman analysis, coefficient of variation (CV), Shapiro–Wilk Test, one‐way ANOVA, and multivariable regression models. Significance level: 0.05. Results 3T dual‐VENC PC‐MRI provided better reproducibility with CV values of 10% and 14% for PI and N perforator , respectively, compared to single VENCs (high VENC: 21% and 21%, low VENC: 13% and 14%). 3T dual‐VENC PC‐MRI showed no significant difference in N perforator and PI measurements with 7T dual‐VENC ( p = 0.16, 0.38, respectively). Among the older participants, aging and cognitive impairment were both significantly associated with increased PI but not with N perforator ( p = 0.17 and 0.365); global vascular risk burden, as well as individual vascular risk factors, including pulse pressure and hypercholesterolemia, showed a significant association with PI but not with N perforator ( p = 0.858, 0.345, and 0.476). Data Conclusion 3T dual‐VENC PC‐MRI provides high‐fidelity pulsatility assessment of cerebral perforating arteries and may be a useful tool at widely accessible 3T. Level of Evidence Level 2. Technical Efficacy Stage 2.

Source: Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging

DOI: 10.1002/jmri.70218