Preliminary 4D-Flow cardiac MRI assessment of ascending aorta in patients with sigmoid hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Motivation: To establish accurate measures in predicting prognosis in patients with sigmoid HCM from their 4D-flow-derived hemodynamics. Goal(s): We explored the association between aortic stiffness and sigmoid HCM through measuring peak wall shear stress in the three ascending aorta segments: proximal, mid, and descending. Approach: We recruited 40 subjects and divided them into control and affected groups and then compared ascending aorta 4D flow hemodynamics. Results: Maximum diameters and peak flow velocity of ascending aorta were higher in the affected group. Impact: Assessing aortic hemodynamics with 4D Flow CMR in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy will help us understand the relationship between aortic stiffness and left ventricular hypertrophy, which is associated with outcomes in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients.