Introducción práctica al análisis hemodinámico del sistema cardiovascular mediante la técnica «4D Flow»

The 4 D Flow MRI technique provides a three-dimensional representation of blood flow over time, making it possible to evaluate the hemodynamics of the cardiovascular system both qualitatively and quantitatively. In this article, we describe the application of the 4 D Flow technique in a 3 T scanner; in addition to the technical parameters, we discuss the advantages and limitations of the technique and its possible clinical applications. We used 4 D Flow MRI to study different body areas (chest, abdomen, neck, and head) in 10 volunteers. We obtained 3 D representations of the patterns of flow and quantitative hemodynamic measurements. The technique makes it possible to evaluate the pattern of blood flow in large and midsize vessels without the need for exogenous contrast agents.