Validation of Echo-Dynamography by virtual color doppler echocardiography generated from phase contrast magnetic resonance angiography datasets

Echo-Dynamography (EDG) is a smart visualization technique in echocardiography in which two-dimensional distribution of blood flow vectors in cardiovascular system is deduced by applying fluid dynamics theories into Doppler velocity datasets. Previous validation studies such as numerical simulation of free jet model or model circulation were too simple to reproduce unstable and asymmetrical flow in left ventricle. In the present study, virtual color Doppler echocardiography is generated from PC-MRA (phase contrast magnetic resonance angiography) datasets. EDG is applied on virtual Doppler data and the blood flow vectors are compared with those of the original PC-MRA data. EDG-derived blood flow vectors showed similar pattern as the original PC-MRA data when blood flow velocity had high value. The errors were caused from underestimating the magnitude of vortex flow component in the flow field near the boundary of the left ventricular wall. The results also indicated that apical long axis view had small error compared with parasternal long axis view. Despite EDG method causes small errors, it provides important information on blood flow dynamics in most parts.