Holodiastolic flow reversal

Holodiastolic flow reversal (HDR) refers to a backward flow typically observed in the descending aorta during the whole diastolic phase and has been observed in the setting of moderate to severe aortic regurgitation.

Usage

It has been found to predict severe aortic regurgitation with high sensitivity and specificity (100 and 93% respectively) in the absence of congenital heart disease, for which it is also a presumably common finding .

It can be assessed noninvasively by velocity-encoded phase contrast imaging with cardiac MRI, it has been also assessed with transesophageal echocardiography .

Measurement

MRI

Diastolic flow reversal is typically assessed by a through-plane measurement perpendicular to the descending aorta at the level of the main pulmonary artery .

Interpretation

A holodiastolic backward flow with a minimum of 10 mL/s was defined as a significant holodiastolic flow reversal by a study. This is also provided the flow is significantly larger than the respective flow measurement error .

See also