Figure 12
3D flow visualization (A) and flow quantification (B) in a nine year old pediatric patient with aortic valve stenosis (aortic valve area = 1.2 cm 2 ) and dilation of the ascending aorta (maximum diameter = 33 mm). Echocardiography demonstrated normal global cardiac function (ejection fraction EF = 72%) but substantial flow acceleration (peak velocity = 2.8 m/s) and an elevated pressure gradient (maximum pressure = 38 mmHg) at the level of the aortic valve. These findings were confirmed by retrospective quantitative analysis of the 4D PC-MRI data in an analysis plane above the aortic valve which revealed high systolic peak velocities (peak velocity = 3.2 m/s, max pressure gradient = 41 mmHg) but only very mild diastolic retrograde flow (gray arrow). 3D flow visualization using streamlines showed localized flow acceleration along the outer wall of the ascending aorta (solid white arrows) which developed into a vortex flow pattern (open arrows) occupying the shape of the aneurysm (AAo: ascending aorta, DAo: descending aorta).