Spatial heterogeneity of 4D relative pressure fields in the human left ventricle

• Blood flow throughout the cardiovascular system is driven by pressure differences generated by the contraction and relaxation of the heart, where blood accelerates from high to low pressure areas. Absolute intracardiac pressure cannot be measured noninvasively, but relative pressure can be calculated. The aim of this study was to assess the spatial heterogeneity of the 4D relative pressure fields in the human left ventricle (LV).Twelve healthy subjects underwent MRI examination where 4D flow as well as morphological data were acquired. The morphological data were segmented, and the segmentation used as boundary condition when computing relative pressure fields from the pressure Poisson equation using a multi grid solver. The LV lumen was divided according to a seventeen segment model in order to assess spatial heterogeneity and present the extensive amount of data in a comprehensive manner.The basal anteroseptal segment shows a significantly lower median pressure than the opposite basal inferolateral segment during both early and late diastolic filling (p<0.0005 and p=0.0024, respectively). Along the long axis, the relative pressure in the apical segments are significantly higher relative to the basal segments (p<0.0005) along both the anteroseptal and inferolateral sides at and after the peaks of E-wave and A-wave.During diastole the main pressure differences in the LV occur along the basal-apical axis. However, pressure differences can also be found in the short-axis direction, and may also reflect important aspects of atrioventricular coupling.

Nyckelord

Relative pressure

Magnetic resonance

4D flow

physiology

cardiac function

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vet (ämneskategori)

ovr (ämneskategori)