This study was designed to show the hydrodynamic mechanism of left ventricular (LV) flow wave propagation and to relate this propagated velocity to 2-dimensional (2D) color and color M-mode Doppler echocardiograms. A computer model is developed describing 3-dimensional axisymmetrical LV filling flow. The unsteady Navier-Stokes flow equations are solved in an LV truncated ellipsoid geometry with moving LV walls, including relaxation and compliance of the wall. The computed results confirm both intraventricular flow and pressure patterns during filling. Vortices are formed during the acceleration phases of the early and atrial filling waves. During the deceleration phases, the vortices are amplified and convected into the ventricle. The vortices are recognized on the derived 2D color echocardiograms as in vivo. The propagation of this vortex determines the propagation of the maximum velocity observed in the color M-mode Doppler echocardiogram. For pseudonormal filling of the left ventricle, the LV flow wave propagation velocity decreases.