Phase‐contrast MR flow imaging: A tool to determine hepatic hemodynamics in rats with a healthy, fibrotic, or cirrhotic liver. Issue 5 (27th February 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schaffner, Denise; von Elverfeldt, Dominik; Deibert, Peter; Lazaro, Adhara; Merfort, Irmgard; Lutz, Lisa; Neubauer, Jakob; Baumstark, Manfred W.; Kreisel, Wolfgang; Reichardt, Wilfried
• Is Part Of: Journal of magnetic resonance imaging. Volume 46:Issue 5(2017)
• Page Start: 1526
• Page End: 1534
• Publication Date: 2017-02-27
• Subjects: MR -- hemodynamics -- noninvasive -- thioacetamide -- rats -- liver cirrhosis; Magnetic resonance imaging -- Periodicals; 616
• DOI: 10.1002/jmri.25677
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1053-1807

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: To test a magnetic resonance (MR) scanning protocol as a noninvasive tool to determine hepatic hemodynamics and to assess the degree of liver fibrosis in an animal model of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. Materials and Methods: Fifty‐four male Wistar rats were studied. Thirty‐nine received thioacetamide (TAA) in their drinking water for either 12 or 16 weeks. MR measurements were performed using flow‐sensitive 2D phase‐contrast MRI and a 9.4T preclinical scanner. The following hemodynamic parameters were investigated: portal cross‐sectional area, mean portal flow velocity, and portal and aortic flow volume rate. Therefore, rats ( n = 46) were divided into three groups: CON (control, n = 13), FIB (fibrosis, n = 25), and CIR (cirrhosis, n = 8). Furthermore, the degree of liver fibrosis was assessed by a self‐established MR score and verified by a standardized histological score ( n = 48). Results: Portal and aortic flow parameters could be reliably detected. A significant decrease in portal flow velocity was found in FIB (FIB vs. CON: –21%, P = 0.006 and CIR vs. CON: –17%, P = 0.105) and in portal flow volume rate in FIB and CIR (FIB vs. CON: –20%, P = 0.009 and CIR vs. CON: –25%, P = 0.024). If the histological score is taken as standard, the self‐established MR score enabled discrimination between healthy and diseased livers (sensitivity to identify diseased livers: 89% and specificity to identify healthy livers: 100%). Conclusion: This MR scanning protocol presents a noninvasive tool to determine hepatic hemodynamics in healthy and diseased rats. Level of Evidence: 2 Technical Efficacy: Stage 1 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2017;46:1526–1534.