Quantitative hemodynamics of liver in healthy pigs:a pilot study of magnetic resonance perfusion imaging

Objective The purpose of our study was to investigate the feasibility and accuracy of quantifying the blood flow volume of liver in healthy pigs. Methods At a 3.0T MR scanner, dynamic multiple- section magnetic resonance (MR) scanning of liver was performed in 9 healthy pigs. The regions of interests (ROI) were set in aorta, portal vein and liver respectively, in which the signal intensity was measured. The time- signal intensity curve was drawn and liver perfusion parameters were counted using specialized liver perfusion analysis software. Results The baselines of the liver perfusion curves were stable, and regularity was revealed in the curves of corresponding organs. The hepatic artery perfusion, portal vein perfusion, total hepatic blood flow, portal vein perfusion index, distribution volume and mean transit time were (35.42± 0.04)ml· min- 1· 100ml- 1, (121.54± 0.37)ml· min- 1· 100ml- 1, (156.96± 0.37)ml· min- 1· 100ml- 1, (77.43± 11.53)% , (10.30± 3.59)s and (36.41± 9.02)% , respectively. Conclusion It’ s feasible to quantitatively evaluate the hemodynamics of liver in healthy pigs at a 3.0T MR unit.