Determining cardiac structure by diffuse reflectance of different wavelengths

Abstract

Catheter ablation in patients suffering from chronic arrhythmias requires detailed knowledge of the underlying cardiac anatomy; such real-time, high resolution mapping is currently unavailable in a clinical setting. We present here preliminary work towards a novel optical strategy based on diffuse optical reflectance to provide quantitative anatomical measurements of the cardiac structure, including tissue thickness and presence of scar. An in-depth literature search is conducted to collate available experimental data regarding optical parameters in cardiac tissue and scar. Computational simulations of photon movement through cardiac tissue using Monte Carlo modelling are performed, with analysis being focussed on the effects on surface emission profiles of (i) optical parameters; (ii) tissue thickness; (iii) presence of scar. Our results demonstrate (i) sensitivity of the approach to changes in optical parameters within tissue, (ii) difference of results depending on light wavelength. These suggest that this can be used to detect cardiac anatomical structure to a depth of ∼ 2 mm, for both thickness of cardiac tissue and presence of scar. This study demonstrates the feasibility of using diffuse optical reflectance to determine cardiac structure, enabling a potential route for high-resolution, real-time structural information to guide catheter ablation and similar surgeries.