Sammanfattning
Blood flow has an important role in the pathophysiology of several cardiovascular diseases. There is a need for imaging techniques allowing quantification of time-resolved, three-dimensional (3D) and three-directional flow. This is beyond reach for most imaging modalities except for phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (PC-MRI), which can provide multidimensional velocity data. This article gives a short overview of the physics behind PC-MRI, its current role in cardiovascular imaging and some futuristic applications. PC-MRI has matured since its introduction 20 years ago and is presently used clinically for quantification of valve regurgitation and shunt flow and for morphological assessment of vessels. Advanced 4D (3D + time) PC-MRI applications have given incremental insight into flow patterns in the heart and great vessels. Here, novel data based on 4D PC-MRI is described. PC-MRI is a pivotal imaging tool for the assessment of blood flow, and thus, may add to diagnostics and management of cardiovascular diseases.