Development of a New Approach for the Assessment of Complex Blood Flow Patterns in the Left Atrium From 4D Flow MRI

Mitral Valve Regurgitation affects 2-3% of the general population. The morphological and functional remodeling of the left atrium caused by reflowing blood into the LA chamber favours blood stasis and stroke risk. In this context, several clinical studies suggest that stoke risk stratification could be improved by using anatomical, morphological and hemodynamic information on the left atrium. The aim of this study was therefore to develop a new approach for the assessment of complex blood flow patterns in the left atrium using 4D Flow MRI images. This information might help in quantifying the hemodynamic implications of the mitral valve regurgitation on sick patients compared to healthy volunteers. In this paper, we present the developed model as well as its application to patients as a preliminary step forward to an optimized stroke risk stratification and therapy delivery.