Evaluation of Left Ventricular Function Using Four-Dimensional Flow Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance: A Systematic...

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Imaging
• Biomedical Engineering
• Medical Physics

Background:

• Early detection of left ventricular (LV) dysfunction is crucial for timely intervention.
• Four-dimensional flow cardiovascular magnetic resonance (4D-flow MRI) offers advanced visualization of blood flow dynamics.
• Abnormal flow patterns are associated with early stages of LV dysfunction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the literature on 4D-flow MRI-derived parameters for quantifying LV function.
• To assess the clinical applicability of these flow parameters in detecting early LV dysfunction.
• To identify areas for future research and standardization.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review conducted in March 2022.
• Inclusion of 30 articles from an initial search of 1186 studies.
• Analysis focused on 4D-flow MRI flow parameters and their relation to LV function.

Main Results:

• All included studies were deemed highly clinically applicable.
• Energy-related parameters, flow components, and vortex analysis showed potential for quantifying early diastolic dysfunction.
• Significant heterogeneity in methodologies and analyses prevented quantitative comparison.

Conclusions:

• 4D-flow MRI shows potential for assessing LV function and detecting early dysfunction.
• Standardization of methodologies and larger-scale studies are required for broader clinical adoption.
• Further evaluation is needed for parameters like haemodynamic forces and turbulent kinetic energy.