Hemodynamic forces from 4D flow magnetic resonance imaging predict left ventricular remodeling following cardiac

Karin Pola1, Anders Roijer2, Rasmus Borgquist3

  • 1Clinical Physiology, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.

Insights

Hemodynamic forces (HDF) can predict response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in heart failure patients with left bundle branch block (LBBB). A higher diastolic HDF ratio indicates a lower likelihood of benefiting from CRT.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is used for heart failure patients with left bundle branch block (LBBB).
  • Current CRT selection criteria are imprecise, leading to suboptimal treatment responses.
  • Hemodynamic forces (HDF) are proposed as a potential marker for CRT response.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate left ventricular (LV) HDF as a predictive marker for LV remodeling after CRT.
  • To assess the utility of HDF in identifying patients likely to benefit from CRT.

Main Methods:

  • 22 patients with heart failure, EF < 35%, and LBBB underwent cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) with 4D flow before CRT.
  • LV HDF were computed using Navier-Stokes equations, and transverse/longitudinal HDF ratios were calculated for systole and diastole.
  • CRT responders were defined by a ≥15% reduction in end-systolic volume 6 months post-CRT.

Main Results:

  • Non-responders had significantly smaller systolic HDF in the inferior-anterior direction and diastolic HDF in the apex-base direction compared to responders.
  • Non-responders exhibited a significantly larger diastolic HDF ratio (0.89 vs. 0.67).
  • ROC analysis showed an AUC of 0.88 for the diastolic HDF ratio in identifying non-responders (sensitivity 57%, specificity 100% for ratio > 0.87).

Conclusions:

  • The hemodynamic force ratio shows potential as a marker to identify heart failure patients with LBBB unlikely to benefit from CRT.
  • Larger studies are needed to validate HDF analysis for clinical practice implementation.
Abstract