Benjamin R.
Landgraf1, Kevin M. Johnson2, Erik T. Bieging1,
Oliver Wieben2, Christopher J. Franois1
1Radiology, University of Wisconsin -
Madison, Madison, WI, United States; 2Medical Physics, University
of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI, United States
Complex
blood flow patterns in the ascending aorta have been associated with the
pathophysiology of various cardiovascular diseases, including ascending
aortic aneurysms. Helical and vortical
flow in patients with aneurysms present an increased tangential force that
could lead to further aortic dilation, dissection, or rupture. Characterization and quantification of
these flow patterns could help predict disease progression. This study investigates several hemodynamic
parameters of the ascending aorta in 11 normal volunteers and 13 patients,
including peak and mean velocities, calculation of a tangential percentage of
velocity, and characterization of flow patterns.