Segmentation Model Approaches using Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Images: A Review

Abstract

Automatic segmentation solution is the process of detecting and extracting information to simplify the representation of Cardiac Magnetic Resonance images (CMRI) of Left Ventricle (LV) contour. This segmented information, using CMR images, helps to reduce the segmentation error between expert and automatic segmented contours. The error represents missing region values calculated in percentages after segmenting a cardiac LV contour. This review paper will discuss the major three segmentation approaches, namely manual approach, semi-automatic, and fully automatic, along with the segmentation models, namely image-based models, region-based models, edge-based models, deformable-based models, active shape-based models (ASM), active contour-based models (ACM), level set-based models (LSM), and Variational LSM (VLSM). The review deeply explains the performance of segmentation models using different techniques. Furthermore, the review compares 122 studies on segmentation model approaches, i.e., 16 from 2004 to 2010, 40 from 2011 to 2016, and 63 from 2017 to 2021, and 3 other related studies were conducted LV contour segmentation, cardiac function, area-at-risk (AAR) identification, scar tissue classification, oedema tissue classification, and identification via presence, size, and location. Given the large number of articles on CMR-LV images that have been published, this review conducted a critical analysis and found a gap for researchers in the areas of LV localization, LV contour segmentation, cardiac function, and oedoema tissue classification and segmentation. Regarding critical analysis, this paper summrised a research gap and made useful suggestions for new CMR-LV researchers. Although a timely reviewed study can lead to cardiac segmentation challenges, which will be discussed in each review section.