Blood flow characteristics in the ascending aorta after aortic valve replacement--a pilot study using 4D-flow MRI.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Aortic remodeling after aortic valve replacement (AVR) might be influenced by the postoperative blood flow pattern in the ascending aorta. This pilot study used flow-sensitive four-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging (4D-flow) to describe ascending aortic flow characteristics after various types of AVR.

Methods

4D-flow was acquired in 38 AVR patients (n=9 mechanical, n=8 stentless bioprosthesis, n=14 stented bioprosthesis, n=7 autograft) and 9 healthy controls. Analysis included grading of vortex and helix flow (0-3 point scale), assessment of systolic flow eccentricity (1-3 point scale), and quantification of the segmental distribution of peak systolic wall shear stress (WSS(peak)) in the ascending aorta.

Results

Compared to controls, mechanical prosthe

SUBMITTER: von Knobelsdorff-Brenkenhoff F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5099073 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature