4D-flow MRI study of uterine arteries in pregnant women

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K16828
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 52040:Radiological sciences-related
• Research Institution: University of the Ryukyus
• Principal Investigator: Iraha Yuko 琉球大学, 病院, 講師 (50305207)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 子宮動脈 / 妊婦 / ４D-flow MRI

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the uterine arteries in pregnant women using 4D-flow MRI and to determine their validity and utility. First, we established MRI protocol for uterine arteries, and MR examination performed on normal volunteer to confirm that evaluation of uterine arteries was possible using 4D-flow MRI. Then MR examination performed on normal pregnant women. Compared to uterine arteries in non-pregnant women, the uterine arteries during pregnancy were clearly dilated and blood flow was increased, and it was visually confirmed by 4D-flow MRI that blood flow with high velocity was maintained even during diastolic phase. 4D-flowMRI was considered to enable evaluation comparable to that of Doppler ultrasound examination.

Free Research Field

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Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

妊娠時の子宮動脈の血行動態については不明な点が多く、本研究で4D-flow MRIを用いて妊婦の子宮動脈を評価した。妊婦と正常ボランティアの子宮動脈血流を解析したところ、妊婦の子宮動脈の描出パターンは、明らかに拡張し血流が増加していることが4D-flow MRIで確認された。妊婦の子宮動脈は大動脈と比較し拡張期でも高速血流が維持されているのが視覚的に確認可能とされ、これは新たな知見と考えられる。今後癒着胎盤や妊娠高血圧症候群などで同様の解析を行うことにより、妊娠時の子宮動脈血流の異常や胎盤機能などを予測できる可能性がある。