Erik Bieging

Computational Shape Models Characterize Shape Change of the Left Atrium in Atrial Fibrillation

Shape change of the left atrium (LA) and LA appendage in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients is hypothesized to be linked to AF pathology and to play a role in thrombogenesis; however, many aspects of shape variation in the heart are poorly understood. To date, studies of the LA shape in AF have been limited to empirical observation and summary metrics, such as volume and its likeness to a sphere. This paper describes a more comprehensive approach to the study of the LA shape through the use of computationally derived statistical shape models. We describe practical approaches that we have developed to extract shape parameters automatically from the three-dimensional MR images of the patient. From these images and our techniques, we can produce a more comprehensive description of LA geometric variability than that has been previously possible. We present the methodology and results from two examples of specific analyses using shape models: (1) we describe statistically significant group differences between the normal control and AF patient populations (n = 137) and (2) we describe characteristic shapes of the LA appendage that are associated with the risk of thrombogenesis determined by transesophageal echocardiography (n = 203).

Regional left atrial wall fibrosis and recurrence after atrial fibrillation ablation

Background Left atrial (LA) wall fibrosis has been demonstrated to play a major role in the pathogenesis and treatment response of atrial fibrillation (AF). The DECAAF study demonstrated that quantification of LA fibrosis by delayed-enhancement MRI (DE-MRI) predicts outcomes after AF catheter ablation. Currently, a number of catheter ablation methods targeting specific regions of the LA are used, including pulmonary vein isolation and posterior wall debulking. We investigate the role of spatial distribution of fibrosis in the LA on outcomes after catheter ablation.

Left atrial shape predicts recurrence after atrial fibrillation catheter ablation: BIEGING et al.

Multiple markers left atrium (LA) remodeling, including LA shape, correlate with outcomes in atrial fibrillation (AF). Catheter ablation is an important treatment of AF, but better tools are needed to determine which patients will benefit. In this study, we use particle‐based modeling to quantitatively assess LA shape, and determine to what degree it predicts AF recurrence after catheter ablation.

MULTIPLE CLINICAL FACTORS AFFECT LEFT ATRIAL SHAPE IN ATRIAL FIBRILLATION

Multiple markers of left atrial (LA) structural remodeling, including LA shape, have been shown to be important in atrial fibrillation (AF). Statistical shape modeling (SSM) is a quantitative method for evaluation of shape, which we use to investigate clinical factors that affect LA shape in

Radial simultaneous multi slice imaging for rapid cardiac imaging

Background It may be possible to more rapidly acquire cine, cardiac perfusion, and Late Gadolinium Enhancement (LGE) images for “free” with Simultaneous Multi-Slice (SMS) methods. With SMS imaging, multiple slices are simultaneously excited and acquired. Here we explore the application of an undersampled radial SMS approach termed Controlled Aliasing In Parallel Imaging results in higher acceleration (CAIPI) [1] combined with an iterative constrained reconstruction method [2] for rapid comprehensive cardiac imaging.

LEFT ATRIAL SHAPE PREDICTS RECURRENCE AFTER ATRIAL FIBRILLATION ABLATION

Current methods for prediction of recurrence after atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation are limited. Recently, left atrial (LA) fibrosis and the single shape measure of sphericity have been shown to predict recurrence. We aim to show that quantitative shape assessment can predict AF recurrence after

Incidental MRI findings of left ventricular myocardial scar in atrial fibrillation patients is associated with increased stroke risk

Background Left ventricular late gadolinium enhancement (LV-LGE) is a known incidental cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) finding in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients and has recently been associated with increased mortality [1]. While LV-LGE is an indicator of poor prognosis in patients with cardiomyopathy, data on the clinical significance of incidental findings of LV-LGE in AF patients is still unavailable. We aimed to evaluate the association of this incidental finding to ischemic stroke in atrial fibrillation.

Left atrial spherical shape change in atrial fibrillation.

Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with increase in size of the left atrium (LA). Recent studies have shown that LA shape may be an earlier and independent marker of atrial remodeling in AF. However, previous studies have been limited to qualitative assessments of shape and parameters that do not fully characterize shape. In this study, we use an entropy-driven particle-based shape modeling technique to investigate the relationship between shape and volume of the LA in AF.