Geometric regularization for 2-D myocardial strain quantification in mice: an in-silico study.

Myocardial strain quantification in the mouse based on 2-D speckle tracking using real-time ultrasound datasets is feasible but remains challenging. The major difficulty lies in the fact that the frame rate-to-heart rate ratio is relatively low, causing significant decorrelation between subsequent frames. In this setting, regularization is therefore particularly important to discard motion estimates that are improbable.

Fast ultrasound imaging simulation in K-space.

Most available ultrasound imaging simulation methods are based on the spatial impulse response approach. The execution speed of such a simulation is of the order of days for one heart-sized frame using desktop computers. For some applications, the accuracy of such rigorous simulation approaches is not necessary.

3-D speckle tracking for assessment of regional left ventricular function.

Speckle tracking in 2-D ultrasound images has become an established tool for assessment of left ventricular function. The recent development of ultrasound systems with capability to acquire real-time full volume data of the left ventricle makes it possible to perform speckle tracking in three dimensions, and thereby track the real motion of the myocardium. This paper presents a method for assessing local strain and rotation from 3-D speckle tracking in apical full-volume datasets.

Regional differences in systolic active stress profiles in the normal beating heart. Assessment using an ultrasound based mathematical model.

Unlabelled: Active stress (sigmaA) developed by cardiac muscle has been measured in isolated muscle preparations, under physiological loading conditions, by subtracting the passive stress (sigmaP) from the total stress (sigmaT). We previously developed a mechanical model based on M-mode ultrasound imaging to calculate these stresses in beating hearts. However, this model was based on one-dimensional imaging information and could not estimate regional differences in sigmaA.

Experimental assessment of a new research tool for the estimation of two-dimensional myocardial strain.

One-dimensional strain imaging has been shown to be angle dependent. To address this problem, a new methodology, 2D-strain, has become available. The aim of this study was to validate this methodology in an in vivo set-up against sonomicrometry.