Effect of Bronchodilator Treatment on Pulmonary Artery Pulse Wave Velocity in COPD measured with PREFUL MRI

Motivation: Vascular stiffness and secondary pulmonary hypertension in COPD are common. Noninvasive measurement of pulse wave velocity as a marker of arterial stiffness by PREFUL MRI is feasible. The effect of bronchodilators on PWV is unclear. Goal(s): To determine the effect of bronchodilators on pulmonary artery stiffness as measured by PWV derived using PREFUL MRI. Approach: PREFUL MRI in 52 patients before and after placebo-controlled bronchodilator treatment. Results: In patients with elevated PWV, a significant decrease in PWV was measured after treatment. In the placebo control period and in the patients with normal baseline PWV, no significant changes were observed. Impact: Pulmonary artery stiffness can be measured by PREFUL MRI-based pulse wave velocity (PWV) calculation. PREFUL MRI is a promising tool to monitor PWV changes after bronchodilator treatment.