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3D Imaging of vascular networks for biophysical modeling of perfusion distribution within the heart
Jeroen P H M van den Wijngaard1, Janina C V Schwarz, Pepijn van Horssen
1Department of Biomedical Engineering and Physics, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. j.p.vandenwijngaard@amc.uva.nl
Insights
Accurate 3D vascular network models are crucial for understanding organ perfusion. New high-resolution imaging techniques, like Episcopic fluorescent imaging, offer detailed structural data for improved biophysical models and disease studies.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Biophysics
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Organ perfusion is significantly influenced by vascular network structure.
- Previous 3D vascular modeling relied on limited imaging techniques (angiography, corrosion casting).
- Advancements in computational modeling necessitate higher-resolution vascular representations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an overview of historical and current methods for imaging and modeling vascular networks and perfusion.
- To focus on techniques applicable to the heart.
- To discuss the strengths and limitations of various imaging and modeling approaches.
Main Methods:
- Review of established imaging techniques (angiography, corrosion casting) for vascular network analysis.
- Discussion of 3D vascular tree modeling based on imaging-derived properties.
- Detailed examination of Episcopic fluorescent imaging with cryomicrotomy for high-resolution 3D structural data and perfusion measurement.
Main Results:
- Identified limitations of traditional methods in providing quantitative 3D vascular data.
- Highlighted the potential of Episcopic fluorescent imaging for detailed structural insights and perfusion assessment.
- Noted the clinical relevance of vascular network analysis for coronary stenosis evaluation and perfusion imaging.
Conclusions:
- High-resolution 3D vascular network representation is essential for validating biophysical models and studying disease adaptations.
- Episcopic fluorescent imaging offers significant advantages for detailed vascular structure and perfusion analysis.
- Accurate vascular network representation underpins clinical advancements in patient-specific evaluations and noninvasive perfusion imaging.
Abstract:
One of the main determinants of perfusion distribution within an organ is the structure of its vascular network. Past studies were based on angiography or corrosion casting and lacked quantitative three dimensional, 3D, representation. Based on branching rules and other properties derived from such imaging, 3D vascular tree models were generated which were rather useful for generating and testing hypotheses on perfusion distribution in organs. Progress in advanced computational models for prediction of perfusion distribution has raised the need for more realistic representations of vascular trees with higher resolution. This paper presents an overview of the different methods developed over time for imaging and modeling the structure of vascular networks and perfusion distribution, with a focus on the heart. The strengths and limitations of these different techniques are discussed. Episcopic fluorescent imaging using a cryomicrotome is presently being developed in different laboratories. This technique is discussed in more detail, since it provides high-resolution 3D structural information that is important for the development and validation of biophysical models but also for studying the adaptations of vascular networks to diseases. An added advantage of this method being is the ability to measure local tissue perfusion. Clinically, indices for patient-specific coronary stenosis evaluation derived from vascular networks have been proposed and high-resolution noninvasive methods for perfusion distribution are in development. All these techniques depend on a proper representation of the relevant vascular network structures.
