Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Blood Flow in the Liver and Abdomen

This study will use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to examine blood flow patterns in the arteries and veins of the liver and abdomen. It will 1) determine the best way to measure blood flow in these vessels, and 2) make detailed measurements of the blood flow patterns of these vessels. Information about normal liver blood flow may help explain the role of blood flow in liver disease.

Normal healthy volunteers 18 years of age and older may be eligible for this study. They will undergo MRI-a diagnostic tool that uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to show structural and chemical changes in tissue and the speed of moving blood. The patient lies on a stretcher inside a metal cylinder (the scanner) for 1 to 1.5 hours and will be required to lie very still for 10 to 15 minutes at a time. Blood pressure, heart rate, breathing and the amount of oxygen in the fingertip are measured during the scan.

The involvement of the liver by certain disease processes is non-uniform and may be related to hepatic anatomy and the dynamics of portal blood flow. These differences may result from inhomogeneous delivery of hepatic toxins or trophic substances, tumor secretion products or tumor metastases to different portions of the liver. In addition to effects on the natural history of hepatic disease, these features may affect the performance (planning/methods) and interpretation of diagnostic studies, such as hepatic venous sampling for measurement of tumor secretion products. This study will combine non-invasive quantitative in vivo measurements of blood flow with in vitro modeling of the vascular system. The purpose of the study is to define the normal hemodynamics of hepatic blood flow, particularly portal flow, using Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) and to draw inferences regarding the role of hemodynamics in the natural history of hepatic disease.

Eligibility Criteria:
INCLUSION CRITERIA

Normal adult volunteers in good health with no history of liver disease or alcohol abuse - minimum age: 18 years.

Physically able to tolerate lying within the bore of the magnet for 1-2 hours (usual study is expected to last approximately 1-1.5 hours).

Subjects should not be claustrophobic.

Normotensive: Upper limit of Systolic Blood Pressure 140 mm Hg; Upper limit of Diastolic Blood Pressure 90 mm Hg.

No known history of vascular disease, including but not limited to the presence of cardiovascular risk factors such as smoking, or if receiving vasoactive medications such as for treatment of hypertension.

Weight range: 120 lbs. to 250 lbs.

Not pregnant. If a female subject is in her child bearing years and at risk for pregnancy, subject must be using a reliable birth control method and must be within two weeks of the onset of the last menstrual period/

No relative or specific contraindications for MRI exam: including, but not limited to, metal objects in the body such as pacemakers, aneurysm clips, cochlear implants, metallic implants (orthopedic appliance, artificial cardiac valve) or shrapnel. Subjects whose occupation places them at risk of having unsuspected metal fragments in the eye, such as welders and metal workers, will be excluded,

No known hearing impairment.