Key Points
- To visualize and characterize normal three-dimensional intracardiac blood flow patterns in the human left atrium across the cardiac cycle.
- Evaluated global left atrial flow patterns in 11 healthy volunteers.
- Used time-resolved three-dimensional MRI velocity measurements and particle trace visualization to evaluate intracardiac flow without angle sensitivity or planar restrictions.
- Vortical flow was observed in all subjects during systole (mean [SD] duration: 280 [77] ms) and diastolic diastasis (mean [SD] duration: 256 [118] ms).
- Blood within the vortex recirculated predominantly from the left pulmonary veins, while inflow from the right pulmonary veins passed along the vortex periphery constrained against the atrial wall.
Structured PICO
PPopulation11 healthy volunteers
IInterventionTime resolved three dimensional magnetic resonance imaging velocity measurements with particle trace visualisation
OOutcomeGlobal flow patterns of the left atrium, including presence and duration of vortical flowsurrogate
Normal left atrial flow exhibits consistent vortical patterns during systole and diastole, which may help prevent blood stasis.