Binary reconstruction of the heart chambers from biplane angiographic image sequences

Abstract

The aim of this work is the three-dimensional (3-D) reconstruction of the left or right heart chamber from digital biplane angiograms. The approach used, the binary reconstruction, exploits the density information of subtracted ventriculograms from two orthogonal views in addition to the ventricular contours. The ambiguity of the problem is largely reduced by incorporating a priori knowledge of human ventricles. A model-based reconstruction program is described that is applicable to routinely acquired biplane ventriculographic studies. Prior to reconstruction, several geometric and densitometric imaging errors are corrected. The finding of corresponding density profiles and anatomical landmarks is supported by a biplane image pairing procedure that takes the movement of the gantry system into account. Absolute measurements are based on geometric isocenter calibration and a slice-wise density calibration technique. The reconstructed ventricles allow 3-D visualization and regional wall motion analysis independently of the gantry setting. The method is applied to clinical angiograms and tested in left- and right-ventricular phantoms yielding a well shape conformity even with few model information. The results indicate that volumes of binary reconstructed ventricles are less projection-dependent compared to volume data derived by purely contour-based methods. A limitation is that the heart chamber must not be superimposed by other dye-filled structures in both projections.

Plaque development, vessel curvature, and wall shear stress in coronary arteries assessed by X-ray angiography and intravascular ultrasound

“…Similarly, analyses from biplane angiography can only offer elliptical approximations of the lumen shape (Wahle et al, 1995). Although attempts to achieve further refinement of the lumen shape based on X-ray densitometry have shown to be successful in larger structures (e.g., iliac arteries (Pellot et al, 1994) or ventricles (Prause and Onnasch, 1996)) and also in coronary arteries (Reiber et al, 1982/83;Bao et al, 1990), X-ray angiography cannot directly depict plaque distribution or composition. Instead, these are approximated indirectly from the contrast-filled lumen (Seiler et al, 1992;Wahle et al, 1995).…”

Geometrically correct 3-D reconstruction of intravascular ultrasound images by fusion with biplane angiography-methods and validation

“…A major drawback of many of these systems is their assumption of elliptical cross-sections. Binary reconstruction methods, which allow the modeling of free-shaped contours from densitometric profiles, are well-established in ventricle analyses [24]. However, due to the limited resolution of angiography they are rarely used to assess smaller vessels like coronary or cerebral arteries [25]- [27].…”

Angiocardiographic Pressure Volume Loops in the Analysis of Right Ventricular Function after Repair of Tetralogy of Fallot

“…This technique is described in detail elsewhere [6]. The applied approach of optimal image pairing was the same as used in a program for heart chamber reconstruction from biplane angiocardiography [7]. The analytical calibration procedure was validated by spheres recorded in different biplane projections and magnifications.…”