CINE-MR DETECTION OF GEOMETRICAL SIZE ANOMALIES IN THE DESCENDING CHEST AORTIC ARTERY FOR SOME HEART PATHOLOGIES

In this MRI work the Fast Gradient - Echo technique has been applied t o the detection of the geometrical and elastic properties of the chest aorthic descending artery to check probable troubles in the blood flu x which subtend several heart pathologies. The average diameter and th e time variations of the aorthic vessel have been measured in the axia l scanning plane to minimize the experimental errors. From the analysi s of the vessel average diameter and the related root mean square devi ation, a parameter named Contractility has been defined, in close rela tion with the elastic properties of the aorthic vessel. This parameter measured in patients affected from heavy cardiac pathologies such as aorthic are aneurysm and right atrial mixoma shows remarkable variatio ns when compared to the values obtained in healthy subjects. The use o f the Contractility is suggested for a quick MRI determination of thes e cardiocircolatory pathologies.