Shape-Based 4D Left Ventricular Myocardial Function Analysis

In this paper, we will first briefly describe the setup for an in vivo experimental model and the imaging techniques, including the use of implanted imaging-opaque markers that will permit us to establish the gold standard against which the validity of our non-invasive image analysis algorithms can be evaluated, as well as to permit us to study the efficacy of using in vivo, image-derived measures of function for predicting regional myocardial viability. Then, the shape-based image analysis methods, particularly our new developments in surface triangulation from segmented contour stacks of LV wall, surface curvature estimation, point-wise non-rigid motion tracking, quantitative measures of LV motion and thickening, and 3D visualization techniques, will be discussed. Finally, initial experimental results for surfaces derived from real image sequences will be presented.