Phase-contrast MRI and CFD modeling of apparent 3He gas flow in rat pulmonary airways

► 3He MRI and CFD are complimentary tools for studying inhaled gas dynamics. ► PC-MRI provides apparent values of 3He gas velocity. ► Depend on both airflow and gas diffusion. ► Can be used to develop and test patient-specific CFD models of gas transport. ► Accurately predict PC-MRI results in pulmonary airways.