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The evolution of intraventricular vortex during ejection studied by using vector flow mapping

Haibin Zhang1, Liwen Liu, Lulu Chen

  • 1Department of Ultrasound, PLA 210th Hospital, Dalian, China.

Echocardiography (Mount Kisco, N.Y.)
|September 19, 2012
PubMed

Insights

In patients with reduced ejection fraction, the intraventricular vortex persists longer during left ventricular ejection, staying near the apex. This vortex evolution is linked to cardiac dimensions and function.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Physiology
  • Echocardiography
  • Hemodynamics

Background:

  • Intraventricular vortex dynamics are crucial for efficient left ventricular (LV) function.
  • Understanding vortex evolution during ejection provides insights into LV systolic performance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the changes in intraventricular vortex behavior during the ejection phase of the cardiac cycle.
  • To correlate vortex evolution with echocardiographic parameters in healthy individuals and patients with varying LV ejection fraction (EF).

Main Methods:

  • Vector flow mapping was employed to visualize and quantify intraventricular vortex dynamics.
  • The study included healthy volunteers and patients with coronary artery disease and dilated cardiomyopathy, stratified by LV EF.

Main Results:

  • In healthy subjects and those with EF >50%, the intraventricular vortex dissipated rapidly during early ejection.
  • Patients with EF <50% exhibited a persistent vortex mainly at the apex, lasting significantly longer.
  • Vortex evolution correlated with QRS width, EF, fractional shortening, LV outflow velocity time integral, wall motion score index (WMSI), LV dimensions, and diastolic mitral annular velocities.

Conclusions:

  • In LV systolic dysfunction, the intraventricular vortex persists throughout ejection, predominantly at the apex.
  • The observed vortex evolution is strongly associated with LV dimensions and overall cardiac function.
Abstract

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