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Automated border detection on contrast enhanced echocardiographic images
James N Kirkpatrick1, Roberto M Lang, Savitri E Fedson
1University of Chicago Hospitals and Clinics, 5841 S. Maryland Ave. MC 5084, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
International Journal of Cardiology
|August 6, 2005
Summary
Contrast echocardiography combined with automated software accurately calculates left ventricular ejection fraction (LV EF), improving accuracy in cardiovascular disease evaluation. This method overcomes limitations of traditional techniques, especially in patients with suboptimal imaging.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular imaging
- Echocardiography
- Nuclear cardiology
Background:
- Accurate left ventricular ejection fraction (LV EF) determination is crucial for cardiovascular disease patient evaluation.
- Automated quantitative techniques for EF calculation often struggle with poor endocardial border definition in limited echocardiographic images.
- Contrast echocardiography can enhance endocardial borders, potentially improving automated EF calculations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To combine contrast echocardiography with automated border detection for accurate LV EF calculation.
- To assess the efficacy of a prototype software for automated LV EF determination using contrast-enhanced echocardiography.
Main Methods:
- Thirty-nine patients underwent radionuclide angiography followed by echocardiography with prototype software during contrast infusion.
- Automated border detection was performed during contrast echocardiography for LV EF calculation.
Main Results:
- Contrast opacification was successful in 38 out of 39 patients.
- No statistically significant difference was found between nuclear cardiology-determined EF (mean 50±16%) and echocardiographically determined EF (mean 51±18%).
- The mean bias was 0.6 with limits of agreement of +15 and -14.
Conclusions:
- Prototype software successfully tracked contrast-enhanced endocardial borders.
- This approach allows for accurate quantitative calculation of LV EF.
- Contrast-enhanced echocardiography with automated software offers a robust method for LV EF assessment.