Applications of three dimensional echocardiography beyond the left ventricle: other chambers and structural detail

• Published in: Computers in Cardiology 2000. Vol.27 (Cat. 00CH37163) Vol. 27; pp. 119 - 122
• Main Authors: Sheehan, F.H., Bolson, E.L., McDonald, J.A.
• Format: Conference Proceeding Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States IEEE 2000
• Subjects: Cardiomyopathies - diagnostic imaging; Echocardiography; Echocardiography, Three-Dimensional; Fourier series; Heart valves; Heart Ventricles - anatomy & histology; Heart Ventricles - diagnostic imaging; Humans; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; Image reconstruction; Labeling; Magnetic analysis; Magnetic fields; Mitral Valve - anatomy & histology; Mitral Valve - diagnostic imaging; Models, Cardiovascular; Myocardial Infarction - diagnostic imaging; Orifices; Shape; Surface reconstruction
• ISBN: 0780365577; 9780780365575
• ISSN: 0276-6547; 0276-6574
• DOI: 10.1109/CIC.2000.898470

The authors' system for quantitative three-dimensional echocardiography (3D echo) now enables analysis of all four heart chambers, valves and associated structures. After image acquisition using freehand scanning and a magnetic field tracking device, the borders of cardiac structures are manually traced Chambers are reconstructed with a piecewise smooth subdivision surface. The mitral and tricuspid annuli are fitted using a 4 term Fourier series. Other valves and orifices are reconstructed as ellipses. Anatomic labeling enables identification of the chordae, coronary sinus, intervalvular fibrosa, septum, and right and left ventricular apex. The dimensions, shape, and function of cardiac components and the spatial relationships between them such as distance and angle can be determined. These methods provide capability and flexibility for clinical applications such as modeling heart motion, investigating the mechanism of functional mitral regurgitation, and tracking left ventricular remodeling.