Pulmonary arterial resistance: Noninvasive measurement with indexes of pulmonary flow estimated at velocity-encoded MR imaging - Preliminary experience

Cardiac output and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) were measured in 19 patients by means of catheterization of the right side of the heart. Result s were compared with the cardiac output and indexes of pulmonary arterial b lood flow estimated with velocity-encoded magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Correlations were good between estimates with right-sided heart catheteriza tion and those with velocity-encoded MR imaging. By providing accurate pulm onary arterial blood flow measurements, velocity-encoded MR imaging allowed distinction of patients with high PVR from subjects with normal PVR.