Blood flow assessment in a heart with a septal defect based on optical flow analysis of magnetic resonance images

Abstract

This study describes an application based on the optical flow algorithm to construct a 2D velocity field plot. The estimated velocity field is used to track the movement of blood in real time. This methodology has been applied to medical images to quantify blood flow turbulence in the right atrium of the heart. Blood intensity fields that are obtained from clinical MRI scan sequences can be analyzed using this method. Septal defects and other heart diseases can be assessed for degrees of abnormality and post-surgical success can be evaluated. We have developed this technique specifically for characterizing the turbulence generated due to such heart abnormalities. The degree of turbulence and fluid shear stress can be determined from the measured flow field. The cardio dynamics information that is based on flow analysis and visualization of blood offers potential for the detection and quantification of myocardial malfunctioning.