Skeletal Muscle Microvascular Flow in Progressive Peripheral Artery Disease. Assessment With Continuous Arterial Spin-Labeling Perfusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Wen Chau Wu, Emile Mohler, Sarah J. Ratcliffe, Felix W. Wehrli, John A. Detre, Thomas F. Floyd

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

72 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objectives: We present the novel application of continuous arterial spin-labeling (CASL) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the measurement of calf muscle perfusion in subjects with progressive peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Background: Peripheral arterial disease is largely considered to be a disease of conduit vessels. The impact of PAD upon microvascular flow in the end-organ, muscle, remains unknown. Continuous arterial spin-labeling is a noninvasive MRI method capable of measuring microvascular flow and might assist in our understanding of the impact of PAD upon the microvasculature. Methods: Forty subjects with varying degrees of PAD and 17 age-matched PAD-free subjects were recruited and underwent measurement of the ankle-to-brachial index (ABI) and CASL. Peak hyperemic flow (PHF) and time-to-peak (TTP) were computed and assessed as a function of ABI and calf muscle group. Results: An ABI dependence was found in both PHF (p = 0.04) and TTP (p < 10-4). Whereas TTP increased almost immediately with increasing PAD severity, PHF was, in contrast, relatively well preserved until later stages of disease. Conclusions: The CASL flow measurements correlate with disease state as measured by ABI and demonstrate preserved microvascular flow reserve in the presence of early to intermediate vascular disease.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2372-2377
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology
Volume53
Issue number25
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 23 2009

Keywords

  • arterial spin-labeling
  • magnetic resonance imaging
  • peripheral arterial disease
  • skeletal muscle

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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