Assessment of uterine artery geometry and hemodynamics in human pregnancy with 4d flow mri and its correlation with doppler ultrasound

Background Uterine artery (UtA) hemodynamics might be used to predict risk of hypertensive pregnancy disorders, including preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction. Purpose or Hypothesis To determine the feasibility of 4D flow MRI in pregnant subjects by characterizing UtA anatomy, computing UtA flow, and comparing UtA velocity, and pulsatility and resistivity indices (PI, RI) with transabdominal Doppler ultrasound (US). Study Type Prospective cross-sectional study from June 6, 2016, to May 2, 2018. Population or Subjects or Phantom or Specimen or Animal Model Forty-one singleton pregnant subjects (age [range] = 27.0 +/- 5.9 [18-41] years) in their second or third trimester. We additionally scanned three subjects who had prepregnancy diabetes or chronic hypertension. Field Strength/Sequence The subjects underwent UtA and placenta MRI using noncontrast angiography and 4D flow at 1.5T. Assessment UtA anatomy was described based on 4D flow-derived noncontrast angiography, while UtA flow properties were characterized by net flow, systolic/mean/diastolic velocity, PI and RI through examination of 4D flow data. PI and RI are standard hemodynamic parameters routinely reported on Doppler US. Statistical Tests Spearman's rank correlation, Wilcoxon signed rank tests, and Bland-Altman plots were used to preliminarily investigate the relationships between flow parameters, gestational age, and Doppler US. or Results 4D flow MRI and UtA flow quantification was feasible in all subjects. There was considerable heterogeneity in UtA geometry in each subject between left and right UtAs and between subjects. Mean 4D flow-based parameters were: mean bilateral flow rate = 605.6 +/- 220.5 mL/min, PI = 0.72 +/- 0.2, and RI = 0.47 +/- 0.1. Bilateral flow did not change with gestational age. We found that MRI differed from US in terms of lower PI (mean difference -0.1) and RI (mean difference < -0.1) with Wilcoxon signed rank test P = 0.05 and P = 0.13, respectively. Data Conclusion 4D flow MRI is a feasible approach for describing UtA anatomy and flow in pregnant subjects. Level of Evidence: Technical Efficacy: Stage 1 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;49:59-68.