A tool for the interactive analysis and exploration of in-vivo haemodynamics from 4D PC MRI

Background Time-resolved 3D (4D) phase contrast (PC) MRI allows deriving anatomical as well as functional information in the cardiovascular system. Progress in 4D MR techniques now facilitates volumetric, 3-directional, cine PC MRI data in reasonable scan times. The analysis of these data is, however, a challenging task because of the data complexity (3 spatial dimensions, 3 velocity directions, time) and the many processing steps required. Current evaluations of 4D PC MRI data often use a combination of home built and commercial tools, which are tailored to often time consuming (up to several hours) workflows for special research questions. The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate a novel analysis tool that allows a fast interactive exploration of patient-specific 4D-PC hemodynamics.