Intraventricular Flow: More than Pretty Pictures

Abstract

Patients with heart failure show myocardial, valvular, and electrical dysfunction, which results in enlarged cardiac chambers and increased intracardiac volume and pressure. Intracardiac flow analysis can provide information regarding the shape and wall properties, chamber dimensions, and flow efficiency throughout the cardiac cycle. There is increasing interest in vortex flow analysis for patients with heart failure to overcome limitations of conventional parameters. In conjunction with the conventional structural and functional parameters, vortex flow analysis-guided treatment in heart failure might be a novel option for cardiac physicians.