Age-related changes in left ventricular vortex and energy loss patterns: from newborns to adults.

Left ventricular vortex formation optimizes the effective transport of blood volume while minimizing energy loss (EL). Vector flow mapping (VFM)-derived EL patterns have not been described in children, especially in those less than 1 yr of age. A prospective cohort of 66 (0 days-22 yr, 14 patients ≤ 2 mo) cardiovascularly normal children was used to determine left ventricular (LV) vortex number, size (mm), strength (m/s), and energy loss (mW/m/m) in systole and diastole and compared across age groups.