Arterial deceleration time (ADT) mapping using velocity-selective arterial spin labeling

Motivation: It is challenging to evaluate the health of vasculature at the arteriole/capillary level. Goal(s): To develop an approach to measuring a physiological parameter, arterial deceleration time (ADT), which may provide useful information at the arteriole/capillary level. Approach: Two sets of arterial transit time (ATT) measurement using VSASL with different Vcut in labeling but the same Vcut in imaging were carried out in one subject to measure ATT and ADT. Results: The preliminary data confirmed the ATT-insensitivity of VSASL and measured an ADT from 4cm/s to 2cm/s of less than 100 ms. Impact: This feasibility study measured a new physiological parameter: arterial deceleration time – the time for the arterial blood to decelerate from V1 to V2 (V1>V2), which may have potential value in evaluating microvascular health and clinical applications.