The importance of slice location on the accuracy of aortic regurgitation measurements with magnetic resonance phase velocity mapping

Although several methods have been used clinically to evaluate the severity of aortic regurgitation, there is no purely quantitative approach for aortic regurgitant volume (ARV) measurements. Magnetic resonance phase velocity mapping can be used to quantify the ARV, with a single imaging slice in the ascending aorta, from through-slice velocity measurements. To investigate the accuracy of this technique, in vitro experiments were performed with a compliant model of the ascending aorta. Our goals were to study the effects of slice location on the reliability of the ARV measurements and to determine the location that provides the most accurate results. It was found that when the slice was placed between the aortic valve and the coronary ostia, the measurements were most accurate. Beyond the coronary ostia, aortic compliance and coronary flow negatively affected the accuracy of the measurements, introducing significant errors. This study shows that slice location is important in quantifying the ARV accurately. The higher accuracy achieved with the slice placed between the aortic valve and the coronary ostia suggests that this slice location should be considered and thoroughly examined as the preferred measurement site clinically.