Quantification of Net Vorticity Evolution in the Left Atrium

Prasanta Pal¹, Ziheng Zhang¹, Ben A. Lin², Mitchel Stacy², Donald Dione², Albert J. Sinusas², Smita Sampath¹

We have developed an EPI-based high temporal resolution phase contrast MR imaging pulse sequence. This sequence was used to acquire LA velocity data in two orthogonal directions on a 4-chamber slice. The velocity data with the application of appropriate data filters was used to quantify vorticity patterns in the left atrium (LA). We observed significant differences between the net vorticity of normal pigs and ~8 day post myocardial infarct pigs. We hypothesize that alterations in vorticity patterns may provide a quantitative tool to assess early changes in atrial function.