Left Ventricular Flow Analysis: Recent Advances in Numerical Methods and Applications in Cardiac Ultrasound

Abstract

The left ventricle (LV) pumps oxygenated blood from the lungs to the rest of the body through systemic circulation. The efficiency of such a pumping function is dependent on blood flow within the LV chamber. It is therefore crucial to accurately characterize LV hemodynamics. Improved understanding of LV hemodynamics is expected to provide important clinical diagnostic and prognostic information. We review the recent advances in numerical and experimental methods for characterizing LV flows and focus on analysis of intraventricular flow fields by echocardiographic particle image velocimetry (echo-PIV), due to its potential for broad and practical utility. Future research directions to advance patient-specific LV simulations include development of methods capable of resolving heart valves, higher temporal resolution, automated generation of three-dimensional (3D) geometry, and incorporating actual flow measurements into the numerical solution of the 3D cardiovascular fluid dynamics.

ECG-derived spatial QRS-T angle is associated with ICD implantation, mortality and heart failure admissions in patients with LV systolic dysfunction

“…Alternatively, aortic valve sclerosis may indicate a poorer prognosis due to more advanced coronary artery disease[ 29 ]. Computational modelling of heart mechanics and flow dynamics might assist with further validation of this concept[ 30 ].…”

Congenital Left Ventricular Outpouchings: A Systematic Review of 839 Cases and Introduction of a Novel Classification after Two Centuries

“…Presence of elliptical LV geometry can be grossly evaluated by eyeballing . Numerous studies on fluid–structure‐coupled simulation of the heart flow by CFD performed by biomedical engineers have also shown the beneficial effects of the elliptical LV geometry in terms of blood flow mechanics . The Karlsruhe Heart Model has also been used to show the relationship between fluid–structure interaction and geometry model .…”

Mechanobiology in Cardiovascular Disease Management: Potential Strategies and Current Needs

“…However, such techniques often require complex setups and flow loops aimed at mimicking the native flow and anatomy and only provide flow information at discrete points or discrete sections within the anatomy. Lastly, computational fluid–structure interaction models have been developed to capture blood flow at high resolutions in compliant anatomies (Peskin and McQueen, 1992 ; Borazjani et al, 2013 ; Cao and Sucosky, 2015 , 2016 ; Cao et al, 2015 ). However, the current computational capabilities still prevent the integration of realistic anisotropic and non-linear material models, complex patient-specific anatomies, and flow boundary conditions.…”