Quantitative assessment of atrial regional function using motion estimation computed tomography

• Published in: Journal of computer assisted tomography Vol. 38; no. 5; p. 773
• Main Authors: Ashikaga, Hiroshi, Cammin, Jochen, Tang, Qiulin, Knudsen, Karly, Inoue, Yuko, Fishman, Elliot K, Taguchi, Katsuyuki
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.09.2014
• Subjects: Algorithms; Animals; Atrial Function - physiology; Female; Heart Atria - diagnostic imaging; Imaging, Three-Dimensional - methods; Motion; Movement - physiology; Radiographic Image Enhancement - methods; Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted - methods; Regional Blood Flow - physiology; Reproducibility of Results; Sensitivity and Specificity; Swine; Tomography, X-Ray Computed - methods
• ISSN: 1532-3145
• DOI: 10.1097/rct.0000000000000108

We validated a novel image-based motion estimation computed tomographic (CT) technique (iME) to quantify atrial regional function in swine in vivo. Domestic swine (n = 8) underwent CT scan with intravenous contrast before and after median sternotomy where 15 to 30 glass beads were sutured to the atria to calculate the motion estimation error. Four-dimensional motion vector field was estimated using iME. Area change ratio (%AC) was calculated over the atrial endocardium to assess the surface deformation. The error between the measured and the calculated coordinates based on motion vector field was 0.76 ± 0.43 mm. The %AC was regionally heterogeneous. The %AC time course was significantly different between the right and the left atriums (P < 0.001) as well as between the right atrial appendage and the right atrial chamber (P = 0.004). Quantitative assessment of atrial regional function using iME is highly accurate. Image-based motion estimation computed tomographic (CT) technique can quantify subtle regional dysfunction that is not apparent in global functional indices such as ejection fraction.