Biomechanical Insights in Energetic Parameter Assessment and Hemodynamic Analysis in Congenital Heart Diseases with 4D Flow MRI.

Congenital Heart Diseases (CHDs) are the most prevalent type of birth defect, significantly impacting global health. Understanding the hemodynamic characteristics of each CHD is crucial for accurate diagnosis, treatment, and management. The transition from traditional imaging techniques to advanced methods like 4D Flow MRI represents a significant leap in cardiovascular imaging, offering a more detailed visualization of blood flow patterns in CHDs. This thesis, inspired by an internship at the Biomedical Engineering of the Cardiology Department at Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, NL, explores the application of 4D Flow MRI in cardiovascular diseases. It focuses on visualizing blood flow patterns, assessing treatment effectiveness, and measuring advanced hemodynamic parameters like blood flow velocities, viscous energy loss, and kinetic energy. These parameters provide intricate insights into the complex fluid dynamics within the cardiovascular system, serving as crucial indicators of disease progression and severity. The study emphasizes the importance of a versatile and adaptable analytical pipeline to accommodate the heterogeneity of CHDs. This approach ensures flexibility to handle different patient populations and disease manifestations, which is pivotal in advancing our understanding of congenital pathophysiology. The ability to analyze and compare parameters across different CHDs enhances our capacity to identify common patterns, subtle variations, and disease-specific signatures, invaluable for refining diagnostic criteria and personalizing treatment strategies. Moreover, the research delves into the technical advancements and methodological approaches of 4D Flow MRI, highlighting its high-resolution imaging capabilities and dynamic blood flow visualization. This technology's potential impact on patient care is profound, as improved diagnostics can lead to more effective and personalized treatment plans. In conclusion, the study of specific parameters in CHDs, facilitated by advanced imaging technologies like 4D Flow MRI, is paramount for patient care and medical progress.