A 3-D active shape model driven by fuzzy inference: application to cardiac CT and MR.

Manual quantitative analysis of cardiac left ventricular function using Multislice CT and MR is arduous because of the large data volume. In this paper, we present a 3-D active shape model (ASM) for semiautomatic segmentation of cardiac CT and MR volumes, without the requirement of retraining the underlying statistical shape model. A fuzzy c-means based fuzzy inference system was incorporated into the model.

Cardiac multidetector-row computed tomography in patients with unstable angina.

Ideally, information on coronary artery stenosis and left ventricular (LV) function is obtained in patients who have unstable angina to allow optimal risk stratification. The value of multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) was evaluated for a simultaneous assessment of coronary artery disease and global/regional LV function using a single acquisition. Twenty-five patients who had unstable angina underwent a single multidetector-row computed tomographic acquisition using a 4-slice multidetector-row computed tomographic system.

Multislice computed tomography versus intracardiac echocardiography to evaluate the pulmonary veins before radiofrequency catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation: a head-to-head comparison.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to perform a head-to-head comparison between multislice computed tomography (MSCT) and intracardiac echocardiography (ICE).

Background: Different imaging techniques have been used to visualize the pulmonary veins (PV) before radiofrequency ablation of atrial fibrillation.

Methods: The PV and their atrial insertion were evaluated in 42 patients (35 men, 49 +/- 9 years) admitted for ablation of PV ostia.

Atrial fibrillation: multi-detector row CT of pulmonary vein anatomy prior to radiofrequency catheter ablation--initial experience.

Purpose: To evaluate multi-detector row computed tomographic (CT) depiction of pulmonary veins to provide a road map for radiofrequency catheter ablation.

Materials And Methods: For patients, institutional review board (IRB) approval was not required, and consent was obtained for treatment. Control subjects were part of an IRB-approved research protocol at the institution, in which they had consented to participate.

Coronary stent imaging with multidetector row computed tomography.

Multidetector row Computed Tomography (MDCT) is developing rapidly as a potential non-invasive imaging method for the direct visualization of coronary arteries in patients presenting with suspected coronary artery disease. Recent technical improvements have led to improved spatial and temporal resolution and may even allow evaluation of coronary stents, which has remained difficult due to the small diameter and radio-opaque material. We describe two cases, a 65- and a 72-year old patient.

Long-term survival in a case of unoperated single ventricle.

We report the MR appearance of single double-inlet left ventricle in a 57-year-old woman who did not undergo surgical intervention. The case shows the rare occurrence of spontaneous palliation that allows a good quality of life with good functional capacity without surgical correction in this complex congenital cardiac anomaly. Only 10 cases of unoperated single ventricles in patients older than 50 years have been reported so far.

Three-dimensional navigator coronary MRA with the aid of a blood pool agent in pigs: improved image quality with inclusion of the contrast agent first-pass.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of including the first-pass of a blood pool agent (BPA) on the image quality of three-dimensional navigator coronary MRA.

Materials And Methods: A pig model was used to perform: 1) T1 simulation of the BPA, based on actual blood samples, and 2) BPA-enhanced three-dimensional navigator coronary MRA, with or without inclusion of the first-pass of the BPA. The acquisitions with inclusion of the first-pass were timed with the use of a test bolus.

Toward comparability of coronary magnetic resonance angiography: proposal for a standardized quantitative assessment.

A method is proposed for the quantitative assessment of coronary magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) acquisitions. The method is based on four parameters: signal-to-noise ratio (SNR); contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR); vessel length; and vessel-edge definition. A pig model (n=7) was used to illustrate the proposed quantitative analysis method.

Coronary magnetic resonance angiography: technical developments and clinical applications.

Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) is a promising method for noninvasive coronary artery imaging. The interesting features of coronary MRA are its non-invasive nature, the absence of ionizing radiation, and the possibility of imaging the coronary arteries without exogenous contrast. Moreover, three-dimensional volume information and tomographic image planes in any direction can be obtained.

Improved MR coronary angiography with use of a new rapid clearance blood pool contrast agent in pigs.

Purpose: To evaluate in an animal model the potential for clinical use of a new rapid clearance blood pool contrast agent to improve free-breathing and breath-hold magnetic resonance (MR) coronary angiography.

Materials And Methods: Free-breathing and breath-hold MR coronary angiography were performed in a pig model (n = 9) (a) without use of a contrast agent; (b) with P792 (Guerbet Research, Aulnay Sous Bois, France), a monodisperse monogadolinated macromolecular compound that acts as a blood pool contrast agent with rapid clearance properties; and (c) with an extravascular gadolinium-based contrast agent. This resulted in six imaging options, which were compared in terms of contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), signal-to-noise ratio, and vessel length measurements by using the Student t test.