Quantitative normal values of helical flow, flow jets and wall shear stress of healthy volunteers in the ascending aorta

OBJECTIVES: 4D flow MRI enables quantitative assessment of helical flow. We sought to generate normal values and elucidate changes of helical flow (duration, volume, length, velocities and rotational direction) and flow jet (displacement, flow angle) as well as wall shear stress (WSS). METHODS: We assessed the temporal helical existence (TH(EX)), maximum helical volume (HV(max)), accumulated helical volume (HV(acc)), accumulated helical volume length (HVL(acc)), maximum forward velocity (maxV(for)), maximum circumferential velocity (maxV(circ)), rotational direction (RD) and maximum wall shear stress (WSS) as reported elsewhere using the software tool Bloodline in 86 healthy volunteers (46 females, mean age 41 ± 13 years). RESULTS: WSS decreased by 42.1% and maxV(for) by 55.7% across age. There was no link between age and gender regarding the other parameters. CONCLUSION: This study provides age-dependent normal values regarding WSS and maxV(for) and age- and gender-independent normal values regarding TH(EX), HV(max), HV(acc), HVL(acc), RD and (max)V(circ). KEY POINTS: • 4D flow provides numerous new parameters; therefore, normal values are mandatory. • Wall shear stress decreases over age. • Maximum helical forward velocity decreases over age.