Vascular MRI

Research Works

Abdominal aortic aneurysms

The medical treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms is one of the major challenges in vascular pathology. MRI, applied to experimental animal models, and as a diagnostic tool in humans is a method of choice to follow the development of aneurysms morphologically and haemodynamically. Experimental animal models of aneurysms allow the study of pathophysiology and the appropriateness of diagnostic approaches. Animal models of abdominal aortic aneurysms have been developed in the team to monitor the development of the aneurysm and to study the choice of therapeutic management by evaluating the anchoring zone of aortic stents in order to optimise their positioning and limit the risk of endoleaks.

The aim is to develop new biomechanical markers of the aorta with functional MRI (rest and effort), for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, on patients with congenital pathology

The CVS team develops time-resolved flow imaging methods in preclinical and clinical settings.

 

Clinical vascular MRI:

The CVS team is implementing MRI during effort to explore the biomechanical properties of the ascending aorta and arch and to assess the potential contribution of this technique for the diagnosis and prognostic evaluation of aortopathy in pathologies with alterations of the connective tissue such as Marfan syndrome and bicuspid aortic valve. Projects aim to identify markers of interest to detect a loss of elastic reserve of the aortic wall, at rest or under stress, whatever the diameter, in the presence of a genetic disease of the wall.

 

Preclinical vascular MRI:

A dedicated 2D spatial imaging technique with 1 millisecond temporal resolution has been setup for determining the pulse wave velocity in the abdominal aorta in mice. This technique currently serves for assessing mechanical properties of the aorta in a mouse model of aortic aneurysm. This topic is developed In collaboration with the vascular surgery department of the La Timone University Hospital (Pr. M. Bartoli).

 

Member List:

Monique Bernard (Research Director, CNRS)

Stanislas Rapacchi (Research Associate, CNRS)

Alexis Jacquier(PU-PH, Radiology, AMU/APHM)

Claire Costes (MR technologist, CNRS)

Lauriane Pini (MR technologist, CNRS)

 

Associated Keywords

  • Aortic aneurysms
  • Aortic stents
  • Aortic wall
  • Exercise stress

Projects