Flow analysis in 4d mr image data

Abstract

A method for performing flow analysis in a target volume of a moving organ having a long axis, such as the heart, from 4D MR Flow volumetric image data set of such organ, wherein such data set comprises structural information and three-directional velocity information of the target volume over time, the devices, program products and methods comprising, under control of one or more computer systems configured with specific executable instructions: a) deriving from the 4D MR Flow volumetric image data set at least one derived image data set related to the long axis of the moving organ, for example, by using a multi planar reconstruction: b) determining at least one feature of interest in the 4D MR Flow volumetric image data set or in said derived image data set. The feature of interest may be determined, for example, by receiving input from a user or by performing automatic detection steps on the 4D MR Flow volumetric image data set; c) tracking the feature of interest within the 4D MR Flow volumetric image data set or in the derived image data set; d) determining the spatial orientation over time of a plane containing the feature of interest in the 4D MR Flow volumetric image data set; c) performing quantitative flow analysis using velocity information on the plane as determined in step d). A corresponding device and computer program are also disclosed.