In vivo analysis of intraventricular fluid dynamics in healthy hearts

The intraventricular fluid dynamics is considered a potential novel indicator of cardiac health. This study present an in vivo assessment of the normal left ventricular flow in order to create a reference ground for the assessment of changes in presence of pathology. The systematic analysis is performed by Echographic PIV technique. Normal patients presented small differences in their overall flow features and parameters. The intraventricular vortex flow features a vortex region extending over most of the ventricular length and smoothly accompanies the flow from the inlet toward the outflow tract. The normal intraventricular pressure gradient features a base-to-apex alignment that properly matches with the left ventricular geometry that is adapt to properly sustain forces directed along its axis. The spatial analysis of cardiac flow provides novel information that integrate tissue deformation analysis and improve the understanding of the mechanisms involved in reducing the efficiency of LV pump. (c) 2012 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.