Phase Contrast Magnetic Resonance Imaging to Assess Blood Flow in the Arteries of a Rat

Abstract

Source: Chiu, S., et al. Phase Contrast Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Rat Common Carotid Artery. J. Vis. Exp. (2018).

This video demonstrates phase contrast magnetic resonance imaging (PC-MRI) to measure blood flow in the common carotid artery of a rat. After securing an anesthetized rat on the MRI bed and ensuring stable physiological parameters, the common carotid artery is scanned to capture images at defined intervals. Blood flow is then computed from these images to evaluate changes throughout the cardiac cycle.

Protocol

All procedures involving animal models have been reviewed by the local institutional animal care committee and the JoVE veterinary review board.

1. Animal Preparation and Monitoring

1. Leave all magnetically susceptible objects such as wallets, keys, credit cards, etc. outside the scanner room prior to commencing animal preparation for MRI scanning.
2. Initially anesthetize the rat (2-month-old ma....

Results

Figure 1: Animal monitoring. (a) ECG electrodes are placed on the right forepaw and the left hind paw, and the respiratory pillow sensor is placed under the animal's torso. (b) The ECG and respirat.......

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
7T small animal MRI system	Bruker
Isoflurane	Baxter	1001936040	Anesthetic
ECG lead	3M	2269T
Monitoring and gating system	SA instruments, Inc	Model 1030