Optimization of photon counting CT for cardiac imaging in patients with left ventricular assist devices: An in-depth assessment of metal artifacts.

PURPOSE: Photon counting CT (PCCT) holds promise for mitigating metal artifacts and can produce virtual mono-energetic images (VMI), while maintaining temporal resolution, making it a valuable tool for characterizing the heart. This study aimed to evaluate and optimize PCCT for cardiac imaging in patients during left ventricular assistance device (LVAD) therapy by conducting an in-depth objective assessment of metal artifacts and visual grading. METHODS: Various scan and reconstruction settings were tested on a phantom and further evaluated on a patient acquisition to identify the optimal protocol settings. The phantom comprised an empty thoracic cavity, supplemented with heart and lungs from a cadaveric lamb. The heart was implanted with an LVAD (HeartMate 3) and iodine contrast. Scans were performed on a PCCT (NAEOTOM Alpha, Siemens Healthcare). Metal artifacts were assessed by three objective methods: Hounsfield units (HU)/SD measurements (DiffHU and SDARTIFACT), Fourier analysis (AmplitudeLowFreq), and depicted LVAD volume in the images (BloomVol). Radiologists graded metal artifacts and the diagnostic interpretability in the LVAD lumen, cardiac tissue, lung tissue, and spinal cord using a 5-point rating scale. Regression and correlation analysis were conducted to determine the assessment method most closely associated with acquisition and reconstruction parameters, as well as the objective method demonstrating the highest correlation with visual grading. RESULTS: Due to blooming artifacts, the LVAD volume fluctuated between 27.0 and 92.7 cm3. This variance was primarily influenced by kVp, kernel, keV, and iMAR (R2 = 0.989). Radiologists favored pacemaker iMAR, 3 mm slice thickness, and T3D keV and kernel Bv56f for minimal metal artifacts in cardiac tissue assessment, and 110 keV and Qr40f for lung tissue interpretation. The model adequacy for DiffHU SDARTIFACT, AmplitueLowFreq, and BloomVol was 0.28, 0.76, 0.29, and 0.99 respectively for phantom data, and 0.95, 0.98, 1.00, and 0.99 for in-vivo data. For in-vivo data, the correlation between visual grading (VGSUM) and DiffHU SDARTIFACT, AmplitueLowFreq, and BloomVol was -0.16, -0.01, -0.48, and -0.40 respectively. CONCLUSION: We found that optimal scan settings for LVAD imaging involved using 120 kVp and IQ level 80. Employing T3D with pacemaker iMAR, the sharpest allowed vascular kernel (Bv56f), and VMI at 110 keV with kernel Qr40 yields images suitable for cardiac imaging during LVAD-therapy. Volumetric measurements of the LVAD for determination of the extent of blooming artifacts was shown to be the best objective method to assess metal artifacts.

Comprehensive left atrial flow component analysis reveals abnormal flow patterns in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Left atrial (LA) blood flow plays an important role in diseases such as atrial fibrillation (AF) and atrial cardiomyopathy since alterations in the blood flow might lead to thrombus formation and stroke. Using traditional techniques, such as echocardiography, atrial flow velocities can be measured at the pulmonary veins and the mitral valve, but a comprehensive understanding of the three-dimensional atrial flow field is missing. Previously, ventricular flow has been analyzed using flow component analysis, revealing new insights into ventricular flow and function. Thus, the aim of this project was to develop a comprehensive flow component analysis method for the LA and explore its utility in 21 patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation compared with a control group of 8 participants. The flow field was derived from time-resolved CT acquired during sinus rhythm using computational fluid dynamics. Flow components were computed from particle tracking. We identified six atrial flow components: conduit, reservoir, delayed ejection, retained inflow, residual volume, and pulmonary vein backflow. It was shown that conduit flow, defined as blood entering and leaving the LA within the same diastolic phase, exists in most subjects. Although the volume of conduit and reservoir is similar in patients with paroxysmal AF in sinus rhythm and controls, the volume of the other components is increased in paroxysmal AF. Comprehensive quantification of LA flow using flow component analysis makes atrial blood flow quantifiable, thus facilitating investigation of mechanisms underlying atrial dysfunction and can increase understanding of atrial blood flow in disease progression and stroke risk.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We developed a new comprehensive approach to atrial blood component analysis that includes both conduit flow and residual volume and compared the flow components of atrial fibrillation (AF) patients in sinus rhythm with controls. Conduit and reservoir flow were similar between the groups, whereas components with longer residence time in the left atrium were increased in the AF group. This could add to the pathophysiological understanding of atrial diseases and possibly clinical management.

Corrigendum: Elevated atrial blood stasis in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation during sinus rhythm: a patient-specific computational fluid dynamics study.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1219021.].

A prospective study comparing the quality of coronary computed tomography angiography images from photon counting and energy integrating detector systems.

BACKGROUND: As guidelines endorse the use of computed tomography (CT) for examining coronary artery disease (CAD), it is important to compare the advantages and disadvantages of the novel photon counting detector CT (PCD-CT) technology with the established energy integrating detector CT (EID-CT). PURPOSE: To compare the image quality of coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) and the Agatston scores (AS) derived from EID-CT and PCD-CT. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this prospective observational study, 28 patients underwent clinical calcium score and CCTA scans on an EID-CT and a PCD-CT scanner. CCTA images were qualitatively analyzed by five observers using visual grading characteristics. The correlation and agreement of the AS were assessed using Spearman's rank correlation and Bland-Altman plots. RESULTS: This qualitative analyses demonstrated a high fraction of "good" or "excellent" ratings for the image criteria in both CT systems. The sharpness of the distal lumen and image quality regarding motion artifacts were rated significantly higher for EID-CT (P < 0.05). However, the sharpness of coronary calcification was rated significantly higher for PCD-CT (P < 0.05). Spearman's rank correlation and Bland-Altman plots showed good correlation (P = 0.95) and agreement regarding the AS between EID-CT and PCD-CT. CONCLUSION: Both CT systems exhibited high CCTA image quality. The sharpness of calcifications was rated significantly higher for PCD-CT. A good correlation was observed between the AS derived from the two systems.

Elevated atrial blood stasis in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation during sinus rhythm: a patient-specific computational fluid dynamics study.

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with an increased risk of stroke, often caused by thrombi that form in the left atrium (LA), and especially in the left atrial appendage (LAA). The underlying mechanism is not fully understood but is thought to be related to stagnant blood flow, which might be present despite sinus rhythm. However, measuring blood flow and stasis in the LAA is challenging due to its small size and low velocities. We aimed to compare the blood flow and stasis in the left atrium of paroxysmal AF patients with controls using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. Methods: The CFD simulations were based on time-resolved computed tomography including the patient-specific cardiac motion. The pipeline allowed for analysis of 21 patients with paroxysmal AF and 8 controls. Stasis was estimated by computing the blood residence time. Results and Discussion: Residence time was elevated in the AF group (p < 0.001). Linear regression analysis revealed that stasis was strongest associated with LA ejection ratio (p < 0.001, R2 = 0.68) and the ratio of LA volume and left ventricular stroke volume (p < 0.001, R2 = 0.81). Stroke risk due to LA thrombi could already be elevated in AF patients during sinus rhythm. In the future, patient specific CFD simulations may add to the assessment of this risk and support diagnosis and treatment.

Assessment of transmitral and left atrial appendage flow rate from cardiac 4D-CT.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac time-resolved CT (4D-CT) acquisitions provide high quality anatomical images of the heart. However, some cardiac diseases require assessment of blood flow in the heart. Diastolic dysfunction, for instance, is diagnosed by measuring the flow through the mitral valve (MV), while in atrial fibrillation, the flow through the left atrial appendage (LAA) indicates the risk for thrombus formation. Accurate validated techniques to extract this information from 4D-CT have been lacking, however. METHODS: To measure the flow rate though the MV and the LAA from 4D-CT, we developed a motion tracking algorithm that performs a nonrigid deformation of the surface separating the blood pool from the myocardium. To improve the tracking of the LAA, this region was deformed separately from the left atrium and left ventricle. We compared the CT based flow with 4D flow and short axis MRI data from the same individual in 9 patients. RESULTS: For the mitral valve flow, good agreement was found for the time span between the early and late diastolic peak flow (bias: <0.1 s). The ventricular stroke volume is similar compared to short-axis MRI (bias 3 ml). There are larger differences in the diastolic peak flow rates, with a larger bias for the early flow rate than the late flow rate. The peak LAA outflow rate measured with both modalities matches well (bias: -6 ml/s). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the developed algorithm provides accurate tracking of dynamic cardiac geometries resulting in similar flow rates at the MV and LAA compared to 4D flow MRI.

Assessing the blood flow inside the heart is important in diagnosis and treatment of various cardiovascular diseases, such as atrial fibrillation or heart failure. We developed a method to accurately track the motion of the heart walls over the course of a heartbeat in three-dimensional Computed Tomography (CT) images. Based on the motion, we calculated the amount of blood passing through the mitral valve and the left atrial appendage orifice, which are markers used in the diagnostic of heart failure and assessment of stroke risk in atrial fibrillation. The results agreed well with measurements from 4D flow MRI, an imaging technique that measures blood velocities. Our method could broaden the use of CT and make additional exams redundant. It can even be used to calculate the blood flow inside the heart.

Photon-counting detector CT and energy-integrating detector CT for trabecular bone microstructure analysis of cubic specimens from human radius.

BACKGROUND: As bone microstructure is known to impact bone strength, the aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate if the emerging photon-counting detector computed tomography (PCD-CT) technique may be used for measurements of trabecular bone structures like thickness, separation, nodes, spacing and bone volume fraction. METHODS: Fourteen cubic sections of human radius were scanned with two multislice CT devices, one PCD-CT and one energy-integrating detector CT (EID-CT), using micro-CT as a reference standard. The protocols for PCD-CT and EID-CT were those recommended for inner- and middle-ear structures, although at higher mAs values: PCD-CT at 450 mAs and EID-CT at 600 (dose equivalent to PCD-CT) and 1000 mAs. Average measurements of the five bone parameters as well as dispersion measurements of thickness, separation and spacing were calculated using a three-dimensional automated region growing (ARG) algorithm. Spearman correlations with micro-CT were computed. RESULTS: Correlations with micro-CT, for PCD-CT and EID-CT, ranged from 0.64 to 0.98 for all parameters except for dispersion of thickness, which did not show a significant correlation (p = 0.078 to 0.892). PCD-CT had seven of the eight parameters with correlations ρ > 0.7 and three ρ > 0.9. The dose-equivalent EID-CT instead had four parameters with correlations ρ > 0.7 and only one ρ > 0.9. CONCLUSIONS: In this in vitro study of radius specimens, strong correlations were found between trabecular bone structure parameters computed from PCD-CT data when compared to micro-CT. This suggests that PCD-CT might be useful for analysing bone microstructure in the peripheral human skeleton.

Comparison of the Agatston score acquired with photon-counting detector CT and energy-integrating detector CT: ex vivo study of cadaveric hearts.

The purpose of this study was to compare the correlation and agreement between AS derived from either an energy-integrating detector CT (EID-CT) or a photon-counting detector CT (PCD-CT). Reproducibility was also compared. In total, 26 calcified coronary lesions (from five cadaveric hearts) were identified for inclusion. The hearts were positioned in a chest phantom and scanned in both an EID-CT and a prototype PCD-CT. The EID-CT and PCD-CT acquisition and reconstruction parameters were matched. To evaluate the reproducibility, the phantom was manually repositioned, and an additional scan was performed using both methods. The EID-CT reconstructions were performed using the dedicated calcium score kernel Sa36. The PCD-CT reconstructions were performed with a vendor-recommended kernel (Qr36). Several monoenergetic energy levels (50-150 keV) were evaluated to find the closest match with the EID-CT scans. A semi-automatic evaluation of calcium score was performed on a post-processing multimodality workplace. The best match with Sa36 was PCD-CT Qr36 images, at a monoenergetic level of 72 keV. Statistical analyses showed excellent correlation and agreement. The correlation and agreement with regards to the Agatston score (AS) between the two methods, for each position as well as between the two positions for each method, were assessed with the Spearman´s rank correlation. The correlation coefficient, rho, was 0.98 and 0.97 respectively 0.99 and 0.98. The corresponding agreements were investigated by means of Bland-Altman plots. High correlation and agreement was observed between the AS derived from the EID-CT and a PCD-CT. Both methods also demonstrated excellent reproducibility.

ACCURACY OF CT NUMBERS OBTAINED BY DIRA AND MONOENERGETIC PLUS ALGORITHMS IN DUAL-ENERGY COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY.

Dual-energy computed tomography (CT) can be used in radiotherapy treatment planning for the calculation of absorbed dose distributions. The aim of this work is to evaluate whether there is room for improvement in the accuracy of the Monoenergetic Plus algorithm by Siemens Healthineers. A Siemens SOMATOM Force scanner was used to scan a cylindrical polymethyl methacrylate phantom with four rod-inserts made of different materials. Images were reconstructed using ADMIRE and processed with Monoenergetic Plus. The resulting CT numbers were compared with tabulated values and values simulated by the proof-of-a-concept algorithm DIRA developed by the authors. Both the Monoenergetic Plus and DIRA algorithms performed well; the accuracy of attenuation coefficients was better than about ±1% at the energy of 70 keV. Compared with DIRA, the worse performance of Monoenergetic Plus was caused by its (i) two-material decomposition to iodine and water and (ii) imperfect suppression of the beam hardening artifact in ADMIRE.

ON THE POSSIBILITY TO RESOLVE GADOLINIUM- AND CERIUM-BASED CONTRAST AGENTS FROM THEIR CT NUMBERS IN DUAL-ENERGY COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY.

Cerium oxide nanoparticles with integrated gadolinium have been proved to be useful as contrast agents in magnetic resonance imaging. Of question is their performance in dual-energy computed tomography. The aims of this work are to determine (1) the relation between the computed tomography number and the concentration of the I, Gd or Ce contrast agent and (2) under what conditions it is possible to resolve the type of contrast agent. Hounsfield values of iodoacetic acid, gadolinium acetate and cerium acetate dissolved in water at molar concentrations of 10, 50 and 100 mM were measured in a water phantom using the Siemens SOMATOM Definition Force scanner; gadolinium- and cerium acetate were used as substitutes for the gadolinium-integrated cerium oxide nanoparticles. The relation between the molar concentration of the I, Gd or Ce contrast agent and the Hounsfield value was linear. Concentrations had to be sufficiently high to resolve the contrast agents.

The transluminal attenuation gradient does not add diagnostic accuracy to coronary computed tomography.

BACKGROUND: A method for improving the accuracy of coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is highly sought after as it would help to avoid unnecessary invasive coronary angiographies. Measurement of the transluminal attenuation gradient (TAG) has been proposed as an alternative to other existing methods, i.e. CT perfusion and CT fractional flow reserve (FFR). PURPOSE: To evaluate the incremental value of three types of TAG in high-pitch spiral CCTA with invasive FFR measurements as reference. MATERIAL AND METHODS: TAG was measured using two semi-automatic methods and one manual method. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was made to determine the usefulness of TAG alone as well as TAG combined with CCTA for detection of significant coronary artery stenoses defined by an invasive FFR value ≤0.80. RESULTS: A total of 51 coronary vessels in 37 patients were included in this retrospective study. Hemodynamically significant stenoses were found in 13 vessels according to FFR. The ROC analysis TAG alone resulted in areas under the curve (AUCs) of 0.530 and 0.520 for the semi-automatic TAG and 0.557 for the manual TAG. TAG and CCTA combined resulted in AUCs of 0.567, 0.562 for semi-automatic TAG, and 0.569 for the manual TAG. CONCLUSION: The results from our study showed no incremental value of TAG measured in single heartbeat CCTA in determining the severity of coronary artery stenosis degrees.

Iterative reconstruction algorithm improves the image quality without affecting quantitative measurements of computed tomography perfusion in the upper abdomen.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate differences between reconstruction algorithms in quantitative perfusion values and time-attenuation curves in computed tomography perfusion (CTP) examinations of the upper abdomen. METHODS: Twenty-six CTP examinations were reconstructed with filtered back projection and an iterative reconstruction algorithm, advanced modeled iterative reconstruction (ADMIRE), with different levels of noise-reduction strength. Using the maximum-slope model, quantitative measurements were obtained: blood flow (mL/min/100 mL), blood volume (mL/100 mL), time to peak (s), arterial liver perfusion (mL/100 mL/min), portal venous liver perfusion (mL/100 mL/min), hepatic perfusion index (%), temporal maximum intensity projection (Hounsfield units (HU)) and temporal average HU. Time-attenuation curves for seven sites (left liver lobe, right liver lobe, hepatocellular carcinoma, spleen, gastric wall, pancreas, portal vein) were obtained. Mixed-model analysis was used for statistical evaluation. Image noise and the signal:noise ratio (SNR) were compared between four reconstructions, and statistical analysis of these reconstructions was made with a related-samples Friedman's two-way analysis of variance by ranks test. RESULTS: There were no significant differences for quantitative measurements between the four reconstructions for all tissues. There were no significant differences between the AUC values of the time-attenuation curves between the four reconstructions for all tissues, including three automatic measurements (portal vein, aorta, spleen). There was a significant difference in image noise and SNR between the four reconstructions. CONCLUSIONS: ADMIRE did not affect the quantitative measurements or time-attenuation curves of tissues in the upper abdomen. The image noise was lower, and the SNR higher, for iterative reconstructions with higher noise-reduction strengths.

Evaluation of an AI-based, automatic coronary artery calcium scoring software.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate an artificial intelligence (AI)-based, automatic coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring software, using a semi-automatic software as a reference. METHODS: This observational study included 315 consecutive, non-contrast-enhanced calcium scoring computed tomography (CSCT) scans. A semi-automatic and an automatic software obtained the Agatston score (AS), the volume score (VS), the mass score (MS), and the number of calcified coronary lesions. Semi-automatic and automatic analysis time were registered, including a manual double-check of the automatic results. Statistical analyses were Spearman's rank correlation coefficient (⍴), intra-class correlation (ICC), Bland Altman plots, weighted kappa analysis (κ), and Wilcoxon signed-rank test. RESULTS: The correlation and agreement for the AS, VS, and MS were ⍴ = 0.935, 0.932, 0.934 (p < 0.001), and ICC = 0.996, 0.996, 0.991, respectively (p < 0.001). The correlation and agreement for the number of calcified lesions were ⍴ = 0.903 and ICC = 0.977 (p < 0.001), respectively. The Bland Altman mean difference and 1.96 SD upper and lower limits of agreements for the AS, VS, and MS were - 8.2 (- 115.1 to 98.2), - 7.4 (- 93.9 to 79.1), and - 3.8 (- 33.6 to 25.9), respectively. Agreement in risk category assignment was 89.5% and κ = 0.919 (p < 0.001). The median time for the semi-automatic and automatic method was 59 s (IQR 35-100) and 36 s (IQR 29-49), respectively (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: There was an excellent correlation and agreement between the automatic software and the semi-automatic software for three CAC scores and the number of calcified lesions. Risk category classification was accurate but showing an overestimation bias tendency. Also, the automatic method was less time-demanding. KEY POINTS: • Coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring is an excellent candidate for artificial intelligence (AI) development in a clinical setting. • An AI-based, automatic software obtained CAC scores with excellent correlation and agreement compared with a conventional method but was less time-consuming.

Long-term prognostic value of coronary computed tomography angiography in chest pain patients.

BACKGROUND: Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is increasingly used to detect coronary artery disease (CAD), but long-term follow-up studies are still scarce. PURPOSE: To evaluate the prognostic value of CCTA in patients with suspected CAD. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 1205 consecutive CCTA patients with chest pain were classified as normal coronary arteries, non-obstructive CAD, or obstructive CAD. The primary outcome was major adverse cardiac event (MACE), defined as a composite outcome including cardiac death, myocardial infarction, unstable angina pectoris, or late revascularization (after >90 days). RESULTS: Over 7.5 years follow-up (median = 3.1 years), Kaplan-Meier estimates demonstrated a MACE in 1.0%, 4.6%, and 20.7% in normal coronary arteries, non-obstructive CAD, and obstructive CAD, respectively. Log rank test for pairwise comparisons showed significant differences between non-obstructive CAD and normal coronary arteries ( P = 0.023) and between obstructive CAD and normal coronary arteries ( P < 0.001). In a multivariable analysis, adjusting for classical risk factors, non-obstructive CAD and obstructive CAD were independent predictors of MACE, with hazard ratios (HR) of 3.22 ( P = 0.041) and 25.18 ( P < 0.001), respectively. CONCLUSION: Patients with normal coronary arteries have excellent long-term prognosis, but the risk for MACE increases with non-obstructive and obstructive CAD. Both non-obstructive and obstructive CAD are independently associated with future ischemic events.

Impact of Pulmonary Venous Inflow on Cardiac Flow Simulations: Comparison with In Vivo 4D Flow MRI.

Blood flow simulations are making their way into the clinic, and much attention is given to estimation of fractional flow reserve in coronary arteries. Intracardiac blood flow simulations also show promising results, and here the flow field is expected to depend on the pulmonary venous (PV) flow rates. In the absence of in vivo measurements, the distribution of the flow from the individual PVs is often unknown and typically assumed. Here, we performed intracardiac blood flow simulations based on time-resolved computed tomography on three patients, and investigated the effect of the distribution of PV flow rate on the flow field in the left atrium and ventricle. A design-of-experiment approach was used, where PV flow rates were varied in a systematic manner. In total 20 different simulations were performed per patient, and compared to in vivo 4D flow MRI measurements. Results were quantified by kinetic energy, mitral valve velocity profiles and root-mean-square errors of velocity. While large differences in atrial flow were found for varying PV inflow distributions, the effect on ventricular flow was negligible, due to a regularizing effect by mitral valve. Equal flow rate through all PVs most closely resembled in vivo measurements and is recommended in the absence of a priori knowledge.

Intracardiac Flow at 4D CT: Comparison with 4D Flow MRI.

Purpose To investigate four-dimensional (4D) flow CT for the assessment of intracardiac blood flow patterns as compared with 4D flow MRI. Materials and Methods This prospective study acquired coronary CT angiography and 4D flow MRI data between February and December 2016 in a cohort of 12 participants (age range, 36-74 years; mean age, 57 years; seven men [age range, 36-74 years; mean age, 57 years] and five women [age range, 52-73 years; mean age, 64 years]). Flow simulations based solely on CT-derived cardiac anatomy were assessed together with 4D flow MRI measurements. Flow patterns, flow rates, stroke volume, kinetic energy, and flow components were quantified for both techniques and were compared by using linear regression. Results Cardiac flow patterns obtained by using 4D flow CT were qualitatively similar to 4D flow MRI measurements, as graded by three independent observers. The Cohen κ score was used to assess intraobserver variability (0.83, 0.79, and 0.70) and a paired Wilcoxon rank-sum test showed no significant change (P > .05) between gradings. Peak flow rate and stroke volumes between 4D flow MRI measurements and 4D flow CT measurements had high correlation (r = 0.98 and r = 0.81, respectively; P < .05 for both). Integrated kinetic energy quantified at peak systole correlated well (r = 0.95, P < .05), while kinetic energy levels at early and late filling showed no correlation. Flow component analysis showed high correlation for the direct and residual components, respectively (r = 0.93, P < .05 and r = 0.87, P < .05), while the retained and delayed components showed no correlation. Conclusion Four-dimensional flow CT produced qualitatively and quantitatively similar intracardiac blood flow patterns compared with the current reference standard, four-dimensional flow MRI. © RSNA, 2018 Online supplemental material is available for this article.

Automated three-dimensional tracking of the left ventricular myocardium in time-resolved and dose-modulated cardiac CT images using deformable image registration.

BACKGROUND: Assessment of myocardial deformation from time-resolved cardiac computed tomography (4D CT) would augment the already available functional information from such an examination without incurring any additional costs. A deformable image registration (DIR) based approach is proposed to allow fast and automatic myocardial tracking in clinical 4D CT images. METHODS: Left ventricular myocardial tissue displacement through a cardiac cycle was tracked using a B-spline transformation based DIR. Gradient of such displacements allowed Lagrangian strain estimation with respect to end-diastole in clinical 4D CT data from ten subjects with suspected coronary artery disease. Dice similarity coefficient (DSC), point-to-curve error (PTC), and tracking error were used to assess the tracking accuracy. Wilcoxon signed rank test provided significance of tracking errors. Topology preservation was verified using Jacobian of the deformation. Reliability of estimated strains and torsion (normalized twist angle) was tested in subjects with normal function by comparing them with normal strain in the literature. RESULTS: Comparison with manual tracking showed high accuracy (DSC: 0.99±0.05; PTC: 0.56mm±0.47 mm) and resulted in determinant(Jacobian)>0 for all subjects, indicating preservation of topology. Average radial (0.13 mm), angular (0.64) and longitudinal (0.10 mm) tracking errors for the entire cohort were not significant (p > 0.9). For patients with normal function, average strain [circumferential, radial, longitudinal] and peak torsion estimates were: [-23.5%, 31.1%, -17.2%] and 7.22°, respectively. These estimates were in conformity with the reported normal ranges in the existing literature. CONCLUSIONS: Accurate wall deformation tracking and subsequent strain estimation are feasible with the proposed method using only routine time-resolved 3D cardiac CT.

Patient-Specific Simulation of Cardiac Blood Flow From High-Resolution Computed Tomography.

Cardiac hemodynamics can be computed from medical imaging data, and results could potentially aid in cardiac diagnosis and treatment optimization. However, simulations are often based on simplified geometries, ignoring features such as papillary muscles and trabeculae due to their complex shape, limitations in image acquisitions, and challenges in computational modeling. This severely hampers the use of computational fluid dynamics in clinical practice. The overall aim of this study was to develop a novel numerical framework that incorporated these geometrical features. The model included the left atrium, ventricle, ascending aorta, and heart valves. The framework used image registration to obtain patient-specific wall motion, automatic remeshing to handle topological changes due to the complex trabeculae motion, and a fast interpolation routine to obtain intermediate meshes during the simulations. Velocity fields and residence time were evaluated, and they indicated that papillary muscles and trabeculae strongly interacted with the blood, which could not be observed in a simplified model. The framework resulted in a model with outstanding geometrical detail, demonstrating the feasibility as well as the importance of a framework that is capable of simulating blood flow in physiologically realistic hearts.