A physiologic flow phantom for the evaluation of 4D flow MRI in the left ventricle

Background 4D PCMR has the potential to help in understanding the direct relationship between fluid and structure interaction within the cardiovascular system, to allow for 3D visualization of blood flow patterns in the heart, and to make direct wall shear stress measurements. However, the wide dynamic range of velocities in the left ventricle (LV, range of 0-200 cm/s) can create difficulties when optimizing acquisition protocols, especially when attempting to measure complex flow features during filling and diastasis. Additionally, there is no reference standard method to validate velocity flow and wall shear stress measurements. Here we describe our experience with a custom-built MRI compatible physiologic left heart flow phantom which can be used to optimize acquisition parameters, and can be used in the lab to make velocity measurements with particle image velocimetry (PIV).