3D Hemodynamics Research Articles

Establishing the longitudinal hemodynamic mapping framework for wearable-driven coronary digital twins

Understanding the evolving nature of coronary hemodynamics is crucial for early disease detection and monitoring progression. We require digital twins that mimic a patient’s circulatory system by integrating continuous physiological data and computing hemodynamic patterns over months. Current models match clinical flow measurements but are limited to single heartbeats. To this end, we introduced the longitudinal hemodynamic mapping framework (LHMF), designed to tackle critical challenges: (1) computational intractability of explicit methods; (2) boundary conditions reflecting varying activity states; and (3) accessible computing resources for clinical translation. We show negligible error (0.0002–0.004%) between LHMF and explicit data of 750 heartbeats. We deployed LHMF across traditional and cloud-based platforms, demonstrating high-throughput simulations on heterogeneous systems. Additionally, we established LHMFC, where hemodynamically similar heartbeats are clustered to avoid redundant simulations, accurately reconstructing longitudinal hemodynamic maps (LHMs). This study captured 3D hemodynamics over 4.5 million heartbeats, paving the way for cardiovascular digital twins.

Hemodynamic Characteristics of a Tortuous Microvessel Using High-Fidelity Red Blood Cell Resolved Simulations.

Tortuous microvessels are characteristic of microvascular remodeling associated with numerous physiological and pathological scenarios. Three-dimensional (3D) hemodynamics in tortuous microvessels influenced by red blood cells (RBCs), however, are largely unknown, and important questions remain. Is blood viscosity influenced by vessel tortuosity? How do RBC dynamics affect wall shear stress (WSS) patterns and the near-wall cell-free layer (CFL) over a range of conditions? The objective of this work was to parameterize hemodynamic characteristics unique to a tortuous microvessel. RBC-resolved simulations were performed using an immersed boundary method-based 3D fluid dynamics solver. A representative tortuous microvessel was selected from a stimulated angiogenic network obtained from imaging of the rat mesentery and digitally reconstructed for the simulations. The representative microvessel was a venule with a diameter of approximately 20 μm. The model assumes a constant diameter along the vessel length and does not consider variations due to endothelial cell shapes or the endothelial surface layer. Microvessel tortuosity was observed to increase blood apparent viscosity compared to a straight tube by up to 26%. WSS spatial variations in high curvature regions reached 23.6 dyne/cm2 over the vessel cross-section. The magnitudes of WSS and CFL thickness variations due to tortuosity were strongly influenced by shear rate and negligibly influenced by tube hematocrit levels. New findings from this work reveal unique tortuosity-dependent hemodynamic characteristics over a range of conditions. The results provide new thought-provoking information to better understand the contribution of tortuous vessels in physiological and pathological processes and help improve reduced-order models.

A fully synthetic three-dimensional human cerebrovascular model based on histological characteristics to investigate the hemodynamic fingerprint of the layer BOLD fMRI signal formation.

Recent advances in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) at ultra-high field (≥7 tesla), novel hardware, and data analysis methods have enabled detailed research on neurovascular function, such as cortical layer-specific activity, in both human and nonhuman species. A widely used fMRI technique relies on the blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) signal. BOLD fMRI offers insights into brain function by measuring local changes in cerebral blood volume, cerebral blood flow, and oxygen metabolism induced by increased neuronal activity. Despite its potential, interpreting BOLD fMRI data is challenging as it is only an indirect measurement of neuronal activity. Computational modeling can help interpret BOLD data by simulating the BOLD signal formation. Current developments have focused on realistic 3D vascular models based on rodent data to understand the spatial and temporal BOLD characteristics. While such rodent-based vascular models highlight the impact of the angioarchitecture on the BOLD signal amplitude, anatomical differences between the rodent and human vasculature necessitate the development of human-specific models. Therefore, a computational framework integrating human cortical vasculature, hemodynamic changes, and biophysical properties is essential. Here, we present a novel computational approach: a three-dimensional VAscular MOdel based on Statistics (3D VAMOS), enabling the investigation of the hemodynamic fingerprint of the BOLD signal within a model encompassing a fully synthetic human 3D cortical vasculature and hemodynamics. Our algorithm generates microvascular and macrovascular architectures based on morphological and topological features from the literature on human cortical vasculature. By simulating specific oxygen saturation states and biophysical interactions, our framework characterizes the intravascular and extravascular signal contributions across cortical depth and voxel-wise levels for gradient-echo and spin-echo readouts. Thereby, the 3D VAMOS computational framework demonstrates that using human characteristics significantly affects the BOLD fingerprint, making it an essential step in understanding the fundamental underpinnings of layer-specific fMRI experiments.

Systolic reverse flow derived from 4D flow cardiovascular magnetic resonance in bicuspid aortic valve is associated with aortic dilation and aortic valve stenosis: a cross sectional study in 655 subjects

BackgroundBicuspid aortic valve (BAV) disease is associated with increased risk of aortopathy. In addition to current intervention guidelines, BAV mediated changes in aortic 3D hemodynamics have been considered as risk stratification measures. We aimed to evaluate the association of 4D flow cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) derived voxel-wise aortic reverse flow with aortic dilation and to investigate the role of aortic valve regurgitation (AR) and stenosis (AS) on reverse flow in systole and diastole. Methods510 patients with BAV (52 ± 14 years) and 120 patients with trileaflet aortic valve (TAV) (61 ± 11 years) and mid-ascending aorta diameter (MAAD) > 35 mm who underwent CMR including 4D flow CMR were retrospectively included. An age and sex-matched healthy control cohort (n = 25, 49 ± 12 years) was selected. Voxel-wise reverse flow was calculated in the aorta and quantified by the mean reverse flow in the ascending aorta (AAo) during systole and diastole. ResultsBAV patients without AS and AR demonstrated significantly increased systolic and diastolic reverse flow (222% and 13% increases respectively, p < 0.01) compared to healthy controls and also had significantly increased systolic reverse flow compared to TAV patients with aortic dilation (79% increase, p < 0.01). In patients with isolated AR, systolic and diastolic AAo reverse flow increased significantly with AR severity (c = − 83.2 and c = − 205.6, p < 0.001). In patients with isolated AS, AS severity was associated with an increase in both systolic (c = − 253.1, p < 0.001) and diastolic (c = − 87.0, p = 0.02) AAo reverse flow. Right and left/right and non-coronary fusion phenotype showed elevated systolic reverse flow (> 17% increase, p < 0.01). Right and non-coronary fusion phenotype showed decreased diastolic reverse flow (> 27% decrease, p < 0.01). MAAD was an independent predictor of systolic (p < 0.001), but not diastolic, reverse flow (p > 0.1). Conclusion4D flow CMR derived reverse flow associated with BAV was successfully captured even in the absence of AR or AS and in comparison to TAV patients with aortic dilation. Diastolic AAo reverse flow increased with AR severity while AS severity strongly correlated with increased systolic reverse flow in the AAo. Additionally, increasing MAAD was independently associated with increasing systolic AAo reverse flow. Thus, systolic AAo reverse flow may be a valuable metric for evaluating disease severity in future longitudinal outcome studies.

In vivo development of tissue engineered vascular grafts: a fluid-solid-growth model.

Methods of tissue engineering continue to advance, and multiple clinical trials are underway evaluating tissue engineered vascular grafts (TEVGs). Whereas initial concerns focused on suture retention and burst pressure, there is now a pressing need to design grafts to have optimal performance, including an ability to grow and remodel in response to changing hemodynamic loads. Toward this end, there is similarly a need for computational methods that can describe and predict the evolution of TEVG geometry, composition, and material properties while accounting for changes in hemodynamics. Although the ultimate goal is a fluid-solid-growth (FSG) model incorporating fully 3D growth and remodeling and 3D hemodynamics, lower fidelity models having high computational efficiency promise to play important roles, especially in the design of candidate grafts. We introduce here an efficient FSG model of in vivo development of a TEVG based on two simplifying concepts: mechanobiologically equilibrated growth and remodeling of the graft and an embedded control volume analysis of the hemodynamics. Illustrative simulations for a model Fontan conduit reveal the utility of this approach, which promises to be particularly useful in initial design considerations involving formal methods of optimization which otherwise add considerably to the computational expense.

A proof-of-concept study of the in-vivo validation of a computational fluid dynamics model of personalized radioembolization

Radioembolization (RE) with yttrium-90 (90Y) microspheres, a transcatheter intraarterial therapy for patients with liver cancer, can be modeled computationally. The purpose of this work was to correlate the results obtained with this methodology using in vivo data, so that this computational tool could be used for the optimization of the RE procedure. The hepatic artery three-dimensional (3D) hemodynamics and microsphere distribution during RE were modeled for six 90Y-loaded microsphere infusions in three patients with hepatocellular carcinoma using a commercially available computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software package. The model was built based on in vivo data acquired during the pretreatment stage. The results of the simulations were compared with the in vivo distribution assessed by 90Y PET/CT. Specifically, the microsphere distribution predicted was compared with the actual 90Y activity per liver segment with a commercially available 3D-voxel dosimetry software (PLANET Dose, DOSIsoft). The average difference between the CFD-based and the PET/CT-based activity distribution was 2.36 percentage points for Patient 1, 3.51 percentage points for Patient 2 and 2.02 percentage points for Patient 3. These results suggest that CFD simulations may help to predict 90Y-microsphere distribution after RE and could be used to optimize the RE procedure on a patient-specific basis.

Using 5D flow MRI to decode the effects of rhythm on left atrial 3D flow dynamics in patients with atrial fibrillation.

This study used a 5D flow framework to explore the influence of arrhythmia on thrombogenic hemodynamic parameters in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). A fully self-gated, 3D radial, highly accelerated free-running 5D flow sequence with interleaved four-point velocity-encoding was acquired using an in vitro arrhythmic flow phantom and in 25 patients with a history of AF (68 ± 8 y, 6 female). Self-gating signals were used to calculate AF burden, bin data, and tag each k-space line with its RRLength . Data were binned as an RR-resolved dataset with four RR-interval bins (RR1-RR4, short-to-long) for compressed sensing reconstruction. AF burden was calculated as interquartile range of all intrascan RR-intervals divided by median RR-interval, and left atrial (LA) stasis as the percent of the cardiac cycle where the velocity was <0.1 m/s. In vitro results demonstrated successful recovery of RR-binned flow curves using RR-resolved 5D flow compared to a real-time PC reference standard. In vivo, 5D flow was acquired in 8:48 minutes. AF burden was significantly correlated with 5D flow-derived peak (PV) and mean (MV) velocity and stasis (|ρ| = 0.54-0.75, P < .001). Sensitivity analyses determined a threshold for low versus high AF burden at 9.7%. High burden patients had increased LA mean stasis (up to +42%, P < .01), and lower MV and PV (-30%, -40.6%, respectively, P < .01). RR4 deviated furthest from respiratory-resolved reconstruction (end-expiration) with increased mean stasis (7.6% ± 14.0%, P = .10) and decreased PV (-12.7 ± 14.2%, P = .09). RR-resolved 5D flow can capture temporal and RR-resolved 3D hemodynamics in <10 minutes and offers a novel approach to investigate arrhythmias.

5D Flow MRI: A Fully Self-gated, Free-running Framework for Cardiac and Respiratory Motion-resolved 3D Hemodynamics.

To implement, validate, and apply a self-gated free-running whole-heart five-dimensional (5D) flow MRI framework to evaluate respiration-driven effects on three-dimensional (3D) hemodynamics in a clinical setting. In this prospective study, a free-running five-dimensional (5D) flow sequence was implemented with 3D radial sampling, self-gating, and a compressed-sensing reconstruction. The 5D flow was evaluated in a pulsatile phantom and adult participants with aortic and/or valvular disease who were enrolled between May and August 2019. Conventional twofold-accelerated four-dimensional (4D) flow of the thoracic aorta with navigator gating was performed as a reference comparison. Continuous parameters were evaluated for parameter normality and were compared between conventional 4D flow and 5D flow using a signed-rank or two-tailed paired t test. Differences between respiratory states were evaluated using a repeated-measure analysis of variance or a nonparametric Friedman test. A total of 20 adult participants (mean age, 49 years ± 17 [standard deviation]; 18 men and two women) were included. In vitro 5D flow results showed excellent agreement with conventional 4D flow-derived values (peak and net flow, <7% difference over all quantified planes). Whole-heart 5D flow data were collected in all participants in 7.65 minutes ± 0.35 (acceleration rate = 36.0-76.9) versus 9.88 minutes ± 3.17 for conventional aortic 4D flow. In vivo, 5D flow demonstrated moderate agreement with conventional 4D flow but demonstrated overestimation in net flow and peak velocity (up to 26% and 12%, respectively) in the ascending aorta and underestimation (<12%) in the arch and descending aorta. Respiratory-resolved analyses of caval veins showed significantly increased net and peak flow in the inferior vena cava in end inspiration compared with end expiration, and the opposite trend was shown in the superior vena cava. A free-running 5D flow MRI framework consistently captured cardiac and respiratory motion-resolved 3D hemodynamics in less than 8 minutes. Supplemental material is available for this article. © RSNA, 2020.

Abstract TP140: Automated Individualized Evaluation of Hemodynamics in Intracranial Atherosclerotic Disease With Dual- Venc 4D Flow MRI

Introduction: Hemodynamic alterations of intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) patients may be associated with increased risk of stroke. Dual- venc 4D Flow MRI can provide time-resolved 3D hemodynamics with large velocity dynamic range, but clinical utility is limited by labor intensive analysis. We developed an automated tool to simplify analysis, rapidly extract and visualize hemodynamic parameters, bringing 4D Flow MRI closer to clinical practice. Purpose: To demonstrate clinical feasibility of a new automated tool for extracting hemodynamic parameters based on 4D Flow MRI, and evaluate intracranial hemodynamics in individual ICAD patients relative to normative reference values. Methods: Intracranial dual- venc 4D Flow MRI was acquired in 59 healthy subjects (32M, 48±15Y) and 16 ICAD patients (12M, 62±14Y). An in-house Matlab tool was used to quantify velocity and flow in each Circle of Willis vessel. Hemodynamic measures from the controls were used to derive normative parameter estimates using polynomial fit as a function of age. A hemodynamic profile for each patient included computing percent difference of peak velocity (PV) and flow rate (FR) in each vessel compared to reference values (Fig.1a-c), and showing results in a diagram (Fig.1d). Results: Fig.1e shows results for ICAD patients. 93.8% of stenotic vessels showed normal FR suggesting intracranial hemodynamic compensation. 62.5% of stenotic vessels showed abnormal PV and 75% of patients showed increased PV in at least one vessel in affected hemisphere. Among 3 patients with compensatory collateral circulation, 2 patients had more than 3 vessels with increased PV. This suggests PV is a more sensitive marker of stenosis than FR. Conclusions: We demonstrate the feasibility of an automated tool used with 4D Flow MRI to interrogate intracranial hemodynamics in ICAD patients. It has considerable promise for identifying new noninvasive biomarkers for individualized stroke risk stratification.

Effect of Aortic Valve Disease on 3D Hemodynamics in Patients With Aortic Dilation and Trileaflet Aortic Valve Morphology

Effect of Aortic Valve Disease on 3D Hemodynamics in Patients With Aortic Dilation and Trileaflet Aortic Valve Morphology

The importance of side branches in modeling 3D hemodynamics from angiograms for patients with coronary artery disease

Genesis of atherosclerotic lesions in the human arterial system is critically influenced by the fluid mechanics. Applying computational fluid dynamic tools based on accurate coronary physiology derived from conventional biplane angiogram data may be useful in guiding percutaneous coronary interventions. The primary objective of this study is to build and validate a computational framework for accurate personalized 3-dimensional hemodynamic simulation across the complete coronary arterial tree and demonstrate the influence of side branches on coronary hemodynamics by comparing shear stress between coronary models with and without these included. The proposed novel computational framework based on biplane angiography enables significant arterial circulation analysis. This study shows that models that take into account flow through all side branches are required for precise computation of shear stress and pressure gradient whereas models that have only a subset of side branches are inadequate for biomechanical studies as they may overestimate volumetric outflow and shear stress. This study extends the ongoing computational efforts and demonstrates that models based on accurate coronary physiology can improve overall fidelity of biomechanical studies to compute hemodynamic risk-factors.

Effect of Aortic Valve Disease on 3D Hemodynamics in Patients With Aortic Dilation and Trileaflet Aortic Valve Morphology.

The effect of different expressions of aortic valve disease on 3D aortic hemodynamics is unclear. To investigate changes in aortic hemodynamics in patients with dilated ascending aorta (AAo) but different severity of aortic valve stenosis (AS) and/or regurgitation (AR). Retrospective. A total of 111 subjects (86 patients with AAo diameter ≥ 40 mm and 25 healthy controls, all with trileaflet aortic valve [TAV]). Patients were further stratified by TAV dysfunction: n = 9 with combined moderate or severe AS and AR (ASR, 56 ± 13 years), n = 14 with moderate or severe AS (AS, 64 ± 14 years), n = 33 with moderate or severe AR (AR, 62 ± 14 years), n = 30 with neither AS nor AR (no AS/AR, 63 ± 9 years). 4D flow MRI on 1.5/3T systems for the in vivo analysis of aortic blood flow dynamics. Data analysis included grading of 3D AAo vortex/helix flow and AAo flow eccentricity as well as quantification of systolic peak velocities and wall shear stress (WSS). Continuous variables were compared by one-way analysis of variance or Kruskal-Wallis, followed by a pairwise Tukey or Dunn test if there was a significant difference. All patients demonstrated markedly elevated vortex and helix flow compared with controls (P < 0.05). Peak velocities were significantly elevated in ASR, AS, and AR patients compared with controls (P < 0.05). Increased flow eccentricity was observed in entire AAo for AR, at the mid and distal AAo for ASR and AS, and at the proximal AAo for no AS/AR. Compared with controls, WSS in the AAo was significantly elevated in ASR and AS patients (P < 0.05) and reduced in no AS/AR patients (P < 0.05). The presence of TAV dysfunction is associated with aberrant hemodynamics and altered WSS, which may play a role in the development of aortopathy. 3 Technical Efficacy Stage: 3 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2020;51:481-491.

Standardized Evaluation of Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformations Using Flow Distribution Network Graphs and Dual-venc 4D Flow MRI.

Cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are pathological connections between arteries and veins. Dual-venc 4D flow MRI, an extended 4D flow MRI method with improved velocity dynamic range, provides time-resolved 3D cerebral hemodynamics. To optimize dual-venc 4D flow imaging parameters for AVM; to assess the relationship between spatial resolution, acceleration, and flow quantification accuracy; and to introduce and apply the flow distribution network graph (FDNG) paradigm for storing and analyzing complex neurovascular 4D flow data. Retrospective cohort study. Scans were performed in a specialized flow phantom: 26 healthy subjects (age 41 ± 17 years) and five AVM patients (age 27-68 years). Dual-venc 4D flow with varying spatial resolution and acceleration factors were performed at 3T field strength. Quantification accuracy was assessed in vitro by direct comparison to measured flow. FDNGs were used to quantify and compare flow, peak velocity (PV), and pulsatility index (PI) between healthy controls with various Circle of Willis (CoW) anatomy and AVM patients. In vitro measurements were compared to ground truth with Student's t-test. In vivo groups were compared with Wilcoxon rank-sum test and Kruskal-Wallis test. Flow was overestimated in all in vitro experiments, by an average 7.1 ± 1.4% for all measurement conditions. Error in flow measurement was significantly correlated with number of voxels across the channel (P = 3.11 × 10-28 ) but not with acceleration factor (P = 0.74). For the venous-arterial PV and PI ratios, a significant difference was found between AVM nidal and extranidal circulation (P = 0.008 and 0.05, respectively), and between AVM nidal and healthy control circulation (P = 0.005 and 0.003, respectively). Dual-venc 4D flow MRI and standardized FDNG analysis might be feasible in clinical applications. Venous-arterial ratios of PV and PI are proposed as network-based biomarkers characterizing AVM nidal hemodynamics. 3 Technical Efficacy: Stage 1 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;50:1718-1730.

In Vivo Assessment of the Impact of Regional Intracranial Atherosclerotic Lesions on Brain Arterial 3D Hemodynamics.

Intracranial atherosclerosis induces hemodynamic disturbance, which is not well-characterized, particularly in cerebral flow redistribution. We aimed to characterize the impact of regional stenotic lesions on intracranial hemodynamics by using 4D flow MR imaging. 4D flow MR imaging was performed in 22 symptomatic patients (mean age, 68.4 ± 14.2 years) with intracranial stenosis (ICA, n = 7; MCA, n = 9; basilar artery, n = 6) and 10 age-appropriate healthy volunteers (mean age, 60.7 ± 8.1 years). 3D blood flow patterns were visualized by using time-integrated pathlines. Blood flow and peak velocity asymmetry indices were compared between patients and healthy volunteers in 4 prespecified arteries: ICAs, MCAs, and anterior/posterior cerebral arteries. 3D blood flow pathlines demonstrated flow redistribution across cerebral arteries in patients with unilateral intracranial stenosis. For patients with ICA stenosis compared with healthy volunteers, significantly lower flow and peak velocities were identified in the ipsilateral ICA (P = .001 and P = .001) and MCA (P < .001 and P = .001), but higher flow, in the ipsilateral PCA (P < .001). For patients with MCA stenosis, significantly lower flow and peak velocities were observed in the ipsilateral ICA (P = .009 and P = .045) and MCA (P < .001 and P = .005), but significantly higher flow was found in the ipsilateral posterior cerebral artery (P = .014) and anterior cerebral artery (P = .006). The asymmetry indices were not significantly different between patients with basilar artery stenosis and the healthy volunteers. Regional intracranial atherosclerotic lesions not only alter distal arterial flow but also significantly affect ipsilateral collateral arterial hemodynamics.

Patient-specific 3D hemodynamics modelling of left coronary artery under hyperemic conditions

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of various degrees of percentage stenosis on hemodynamic parameters during the hyperemic flow condition.3D patient-specific coronary artery models were generated based on the CT scan data using MIMICS-18. Numerical simulation was performed for normal and stenosed coronary artery models of 70, 80 and 90% AS (area stenosis). Pressure, velocity, wall shear stress and fractional flow reserve (FFR) were measured and compared with the normal coronary artery model during the cardiac cycle. The results show that, as the percentage AS increase, the pressure drop increases as compared with the normal coronary artery model. Considerable elevation of velocity was observed as the percentage AS increases. The results also demonstrate a recirculation zone immediate after the stenosis which could lead to further progression of stenosis in the flow-disturbed area. Highest wall shear stress was observed for 90% AS as compared to other models that could result in the rupture of coronary artery. The FFR of 90% AS is found to be considerably low.

Altered aortic 3D hemodynamics and geometry in pediatric Marfan syndrome patients

BackgroundBlood flow dynamics make it possible to better understand the development of aortopathy and cardiovascular events in patients with Marfan syndrome (MFS). Aortic 3D blood flow characteristics were investigated in relation to aortic geometry in children and adolescents with MFS.MethodsTwenty-five MFS patients (age 15.6 ± 4.0 years; 11 females) and 21 healthy controls (age 16.0 ± 2.6 years; 12 females) underwent magnetic resonance angiography and 4D flow CMR for assessment of thoracic aortic size and 3D blood flow velocities. Data analysis included calculation of aortic diameter and BSA-indexed aortic dimensions (Z-score) along the thoracic aorta, 3D mean systolic wall shear stress (WSSmean) in ten aortic segments and assessment of aortic blood flow patterns.ResultsAortic root (root), ascending (AAo) and descending (DAo) aortic size was significantly larger in MFS patients than healthy controls (Root Z-score: 3.56 ± 1.45 vs 0.49 ± 0.78, p < 0.001; AAo Z-score 0.21 ± 0.95 vs −0.54 ± 0.64, p = 0.004; proximal DAo Z-score 2.02 ± 1.60 vs 0.56 ± 0.66, p < 0.001). A regional variation in prevalence and severity of flow patterns (vortex and helix flow patterns) was observed, with the aortic root and the proximal DAo (pDAo) being more frequently affected in MFS. MFS patients had significantly reduced WSSmean in the proximal AAo (pAAo) outer segment (0.65 ± 0.12 vs. 0.73 ± 0.14 Pa, p = 0.029) and pDAo inner segment (0.74 ± 0.17 vs. 0.87 ± 0.21 Pa, p = 0.021), as well as higher WSSmean in the inner segment of the distal AAo (0.94 ± 0.14 vs. 0.84 ± 0.15 Pa, p = 0.036) compared to healthy subjects. An inverse relationship existed between pDAo WSSmean and both pDAo diameter (R = −0.53, p < 0.001) and % diameter change along the pDAo segment (R = −0.64, p < 0.001).ConclusionsMFS children and young adults have altered aortic flow patterns and differences in aortic WSS that were most pronounced in the pAAo and pDAo, segments where aortic dissection or rupture often originate. The presence of vortex flow patterns and abnormal WSS correlated with regional size of the pDAo and are potentially valuable additional markers of disease severity.

Assessment of left and right atrial 3D hemodynamics in patients with atrial fibrillation: a 4D flow MRI study.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with embolic stroke due to thrombus formation in the left atrium (LA). Based on the relationship of atrial stasis to thromboembolism and the marked disparity in pulmonary versus systemic thromboembolism in AF, we tested the hypothesis that flow velocity distributions in the left (LA) versus right atrium (RA) in patients with would demonstrate increased stasis. Whole heart 4D flow MRI was performed in 62 AF patients (n=33 in sinus rhythm during imaging, n=29 with persistent AF) and 8 controls for the assessment of in vivo atrial 3D blood flow. 3D segmentation of the LA and RA geometry and normalized velocity histograms assessed atrial velocity distribution and stasis (% of atrial velocities <0.2m/s). Atrial hemodynamics were similar for RA and LA and significantly correlated (mean velocity: r=0.64; stasis: r=0.55, p<0.001). RA and LA mean and median velocities were lower in AF patients by 15-33% and stasis was elevated by 11-19% compared to controls. There was high inter-individual variability in LA/RA mean velocity ratio (range 0.5-1.8) and LA/RA stasis ratio (range 0.7-1.7). Patients with a history of AF and in sinus rhythm showed most pronounced differences in atrial flow (reduced mean velocities, higher stasis in the LA). While there is no systematic difference in LA versus RA flow velocity profiles, high variability was noted. Further delineation of patient specific factors and/or regional atrial effects on the LA and RA flow velocity profiles, as well as other factors such as differences in procoagulant factors, may explain the more prevalent systemic versus pulmonary thromboembolism in patients with AF.

4D flow MRI and T1 -Mapping: Assessment of altered cardiac hemodynamics and extracellular volume fraction in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is associated with altered hemodynamics in the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) and myocardial tissue abnormalities such as fibrosis. The aim of this study was to quantify changes in LVOT 3D hemodynamics and myocardial extracellular volume fraction (ECV, measure of fibrosis) and to investigate relationships between elevated flow metrics and left ventricular (LV) tissue abnormalities. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) including 4D flow (field strength = 1.5T, resolution = 2.1-4.0 × 2.1-4.0 × 2.5-3.2 mm(3) ; venc = 150-250 cm/s; TE/TR/FA = 2.2-2.5msec/4.6-4.9msec/15°) for the in vivo assessment of 3D blood flow velocities with full coverage of the LVOT was applied in 35 patients with HCM (54 ± 15 years) and 10 age-matched healthy controls (45 ± 14 years). In addition, pre- and postcontrast myocardial T1 -mapping (resolution = 2.3 × 1.8 mm, slice thickness = 8 mm, TE/TR-FA = 1.0-1.1msec/2.0-2.2msec/35°) of the LV (basal, mid-ventricular, apical short axis) was performed in a subgroup of 23 HCM patients. Analysis included the segmentation of the LVOT and quantification of peak systolic LVOT pressure gradients and rate of viscous energy loss EL ' as well as left ventricular ECV. HCM patients demonstrated significantly elevated peak systolic LVOT pressure gradients (21 ± 16 mmHg vs. 9 ± 2 mmHg) and energy loss EL ' (3.8 ± 2.5 mW vs. 1.5 ± 0.7 mW, P < 0.005) compared to controls. There was a significant relationship between increased LV fibrosis (ECV) with both elevated pressure gradients (R(2) = 0.44, P < 0.001) and energy loss EL ' (R(2) = 0.46, P < 0.001). The integration of 4D-flow and T1 -mapping-MRI allowed for the evaluation of tissue and flow abnormalities in HCM patients. Our findings suggest a mechanistic link between abnormal LVOT flow, increased LV loading, and adverse myocardial remodeling in HCM.

4D flow MRI of the aorta demonstrates age- and gender-related differences in aortic size and blood flow velocity in healthy subjects

Background Three-dimensional, time-resolved phase contrast MRI (4D flow) was applied to characterize the aortic size and 3D hemodynamics continuously along the centerline of the thoracic aorta. The aim was to investigate the impact of age and gender on the variability of normal aortic size and velocities. Methods

Blood flow pattern in the ascending aorta after TAVI and conventional aortic valve replacement: Analysis using 4D-Flow MRI

Background Transarterial aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a valid alternative to treat aortic stenosis in patients with high surgical risk. The impact of TAVI on changes in blood flow dynamics in the ascending aorta has not been systematically analyzed. Using temporally resolved, three-dimensional, phase contrast MRI (4D-flow), we studied 3D hemodynamics in the ascending aorta (AAo) after TAVI and compared the results to patients with conventional aortic valve replacement (AVR) as well as healthy controls.