Hemodynamics of normal left ventricle analyzed by vector flow mapping

Objective To investigate the hemodynamics of left ventricle(LV) in normal subjects by vector flow mapping(VFM)technique.Methods Color Doppler flow images were recorded from apical long-axis view in fifty healthy volunteers.The flow velocity vector in LV chamber during different phase of cardiac cycle was analyzed by VFM.Results During the isovolumic contraction.the LV was full of a large globe vortex.During the early ejection.the flow under the aortic valve was accelerated and ejected into the aorta.There were some brief local vortexes observed in the LV inflow at the early ejection and these vortexes disappeared during the mid and late ejection.At the instant of aortic valve closure,the intraventricular flow redirected rapidly from the base to the apex and persisted to the end of isovolumic relaxation.During the slow LV filling and left atrial contraction,a large global vortex occurred in the LV chamber again.Conclusions The distribution of flow velocity vector in the LV chamber can be detected by VFM during different phase of cardiac cycle.VFM would be a useful method for the investigation of hemodynamics in diseased heart. Key words: Echocardiography; Ventricular function; left; Hemodynamic phenomena; Vector flow mapping