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Clinical Applications of MRA 4D-Flow

  • Imaging (Q Truong, Section Editor)
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Current Treatment Options in Cardiovascular Medicine Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of review

Four-dimensional (4D)-Flow cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) is three-dimensional, time-resolved, three-directional velocity-encoded magnetic resonance that provides flow velocity data within a volumetric region across the cardiac cycle (CC). The goals of this paper are to review the current clinical applications of this technique; provide an overview of the general physics; discuss key points from the expert consensus document; and present recent advances in the field. The advantages and disadvantages of 4D-Flow CMR in comparison with the standard and gold standard methods are summarized.

Recent findings

4D-Flow CMR offers unique insights into cardiac and circulatory physiology with an ability to quantify advanced hemodynamic parameters in a variety of pathologic entities including aortic and pulmonary artery diseases, valvular heart disease, complex congenital heart disease, and extra-thoracic cardiovascular diseases. Recent large cohort studies highlight how it provides information that has clinical impact beyond a better understanding of the disease and that will permit better and more timely management and prognosis.

Summary

4D-Flow CMR provides unique qualitative and quantitative flow dynamics information and its impact on cardiac chambers, vessel walls, and myocardium. As scan acquisition and post-processing of 4D-Flow CMR become faster and simpler, the investigational and clinical opportunities will expand dramatically.

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References and Recommended Reading

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. American British Cowdray Medical Center, 154 Carlos Graef Fernandez Ave. Room 207. Tlaxala, Cuajimalpa, 05300, Mexico City, Mexico

    Lilia M. Sierra-Galan MD, FACC, FSCCT, FSCMR

  2. School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, 600 Highland Ave, Madison, WI, 53792, USA

    Christopher J. François MD, FSCMR

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  1. Lilia M. Sierra-Galan MD, FACC, FSCCT, FSCMR
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  2. Christopher J. François MD, FSCMR
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Correspondence to Lilia M. Sierra-Galan MD, FACC, FSCCT, FSCMR.

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Sierra-Galan, L.M., François, C.J. Clinical Applications of MRA 4D-Flow. Curr Treat Options Cardio Med 21, 58 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11936-019-0758-8

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