Supravalvar Aortic Stenosis (SVAS)

SVAS refers to a condition where there is a narrowing in the aorta right above the level of the aortic valve. This often congenital defect is found in children who are born with a genetic condition called the Williams Syndrome. SVAS is a challenging condition to assess, as routine ultrasound exams do not always provide accurate information about the blood flow and pressure around this lesion. The SVAS group is using a novel ultrasound technology called Vector Flow Imaging to better understand the implications of the lesions on the blood flow and the work load of the heart. Vector Flow Imaging is a non-invasive imaging modality, which has great potential in this vulnerable, pediatric cohort.

Graduate student: Megan Laughlin

Research collaborator: Professor Wenchao Zhou, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR

Clinical collaborators:

Dr. Elijah Bolin, MD, Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Arkansas Children’s Hospital, Little Rock, AR

Dr. R. Thomas Collins, MD, Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA