Evaluation of Aortic Hemodynamics Using Four-Dimensional Flow of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Rabbits with Liver Fibrosis

Motivation: Hepatic fibrosis impacts systemic blood flow. Goal(s): In this rabbit study, we tracked aortic hemodynamics during fibrosis development. Approach: Thirty rabbits underwent biweekly 4D cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) scans for 14 weeks post-bile duct ligation (BDL). Results: Results revealed significant increases in wall shear stress, energy loss, and most aortic parameters at each plane by the 2nd week after bile duct ligation (BDL), peaking at the 6th week (p < 0.05). Liver fibrosis appeared at the 2nd, 4th, and 6th weeks post-BDL, corresponding to grades F2, F3, and F4. Plane 2's relative pressure difference strongly correlated with fibrosis severity (R=0.86). Impact: The occurrence of liver fibrosis could increase WSS, EL, RPD and other hemodynamic parameters of aorta as early as the second week following BDL, which can be detected by 4D flow MRI.