Cardiac function estimation from MRI using a heart model and data assimilation: advances and difficulties

Med Image Anal. 2006 Aug;10(4):642-56. doi: 10.1016/j.media.2006.04.002. Epub 2006 Jun 12.

Abstract

In this paper, we present a framework to estimate local ventricular myocardium contractility using clinical MRI, a heart model and data assimilation. First, we build a generic anatomical model of the ventricles including muscle fibre orientations and anatomical subdivisions. Then, this model is deformed to fit a clinical MRI, using a semi-automatic fuzzy segmentation, an affine registration method and a local deformable biomechanical model. An electromechanical model of the heart is then presented and simulated. Finally, a data assimilation procedure is described, and applied to this model. Data assimilation makes it possible to estimate local contractility from given displacements. Presented results on fitting to patient-specific anatomy and assimilation with simulated data are very promising. Current work on model calibration and estimation of patient parameters opens up possibilities to apply this framework in a clinical environment.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anisotropy
  • Computer Simulation
  • Elasticity
  • Finite Element Analysis
  • Heart Ventricles / cytology*
  • Humans
  • Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / methods*
  • Information Storage and Retrieval / methods
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / trends
  • Models, Cardiovascular*
  • Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / cytology
  • Myocardial Contraction / physiology*
  • Shear Strength
  • Stress, Mechanical
  • Ventricular Function*
  • Ventricular Function, Left / physiology*