An MR imaging method for measuring intravascular pressure variations is introduced. The technique is based on estimates of vascular compliance and vessel distension, which are obtained from a correlation of spatial and temporal velocity derivatives and measurements of the velocity gradient in the direction of flow, respectively. The accuracy of the technique was determined in vitro through a comparison of MR and transducer pressure measurements obtained in distensible vessel phantoms undergoing pulsatile flow. Results indicated that a root-mean-square error of 4-12% can be expected in phantoms covering a physiological range of compliance. In vivo feasibility was demonstrated by thoracic aorta pressure measurements, which produced pressure waveforms with an expected shape and magnitude.