Tim Nordenfur

Patient-specific flow simulation of the left ventricle from 4D echocardiography - feasibility and robustness evaluation

In recent years, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations on in-silico models of the heart have provided a valuable insight into cardiac hemodynamic behaviour. However, so far most models have been either based on simplified geometries or on imaging acquisitions with relatively low temporal resolution. It has been suggested that models based entirely on subject-specific ultrasonic images should be used to capture transient flow changes. Therefore, the aim of this study is to present a pathway from routine 4D echocardiography to a patient-specific flow simulation of the left ventricle (LV), evaluating the model robustness and clinical feasibility. The created pathway consisted of initial LV segmentation and mitral/aortic valve positioning, being subsequently used as input for the CFD simulations (based on solving the Navier-Stokes equation using an Arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian approach). The output consisted of 4D blood flow velocities and relative pressures in the entire LV. On five subjects, the model robustness was evaluated with regards to variations in singular boundary conditions. The clinical feasibility of the output was compared to clinical PW Doppler measurements and, as a proof-of-concept, synthetic contrast enhanced ultrasound images were simulated on the flow field using the COLE-method. Results indicated a relatively robust model, with variations in regional flow of approximately 5.1/6.2% and 9.7/7.0% for healthy and pathological subject respectively (end diastole/end systole). Furthermore, showing similar behaviour to clinical Doppler measurements the technique serves as a promising tool for future clinical investigations. Additionally, the ability of simulating synthetic ultrasound images further underlines the applicability of the pathway, being potentially useful in studies on improved echocardiographic image analysis.

Algorithm comparison for cardiac image fusion of coronary computed tomography angiography and 3D echocardiography

Treatment decision for coronary artery disease (CAD) is based on both morphological and functional information. Image fusion of coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) and three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) could combine morphology and function into a single image to facilitate diagnosis. Three semi-automatic feature-based algorithms for CCTA/3DE registration were implemented and applied on CAD patients. Algorithms were verified and compared using landmarks manually identified by a cardiologist. All algorithms were found feasible for CCTA/3DE fusion.

Multimodal validation of patient-specific intraventricular flow simulations from 4D echocardiography

The combination of refined medical imaging techniques and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models has enabled the study of complex flow behavior on a highly regional level. Recently, we have developed a platform for patient-specific CFD modelling of blood flow in the left ventricle (LV), with input data and required boundary conditions acquired from 4D echocardiography. The platform robustness has been evaluated with respect to input variable variations, but for any clinical implementation model flow validation is essential. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the accuracy of the patient-specific CFD model against multimodal image-based flow measurements. For the validation, 4D echocardiography was acquired from two healthy subjects, from which LV velocity fields were simulated. In-vivo flows from the same two subjects were then acquired by pulsed wave (PW) Doppler imaging over both LV-valves, and by cine phase-contract magnetic resonance imaging (PC-MRI) at eight defined anatomical planes in the LV. By fusing PC-MRI and the ultrasound acquisitions using a three-chamber alignment algorithm, simulated and measured flows were quantitatively compared. General flow pattern correspondence was observed, with a mean error of 1.4 cm/s and root mean square deviation of 5.7 cm/s for all measured PC-MRI LV-planes. For the PW-Doppler comparison, a mean error of 3.6 cm/s was reported. Overall, the following work represents a validation of the proposed patient-specific CFD platform, and the agreement with clinical data highlight the potential for future clinical use of the models.

Patient-Specific Left Ventricular Flow Simulations From Transthoracic Echocardiography: Robustness Evaluation and Validation Against Ultrasound Doppler and Magnetic Resonance Imaging

The combination of medical imaging with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has enabled the study of 3-D blood flow on a patient-specific level. However, with models based on gated high-resolution data, the study of transient flows, and any model implementation into routine cardiac care, is challenging. This paper presents a novel pathway for patient-specific CFD modelling of the left ventricle (LV), using 4-D transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) as input modality. To evaluate the clinical usability, two sub-studies were performed. First, a robustness evaluation was performed, where repeated models with alternating input variables were generated for six subjects and changes in simulated output quantified. Second, a validation study was carried out, where the pathway accuracy was evaluated against pulsed-wave Doppler (100 subjects), and 2-D through-plane phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging measurements over seven intraventricular planes (6 subjects). The robustness evaluation indicated a model deviation of <12%, with highest regional and temporal deviations at apical segments and at peak systole, respectively. The validation study showed an error of <11% (velocities <10 cm/s) for all subjects, with no significant regional or temporal differences observed. With the patient-specific pathway shown to provide robust output with high accuracy, and with the pathway dependent only on 4-D TTE, the method has a high potential to be used within future clinical studies on 3-D intraventricular flow patterns. To this, future model developments in the form of e.g., anatomically accurate LV valves may further enhance the clinical value of the simulations.

Method comparison for cardiac image registration of coronary computed tomography angiography and 3-D echocardiography

Abstract. Treatment decision for coronary artery disease (CAD) is based on both morphological and functional information. Image fusion of coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) and three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) could combine morphology and function into a single image to facilitate diagnosis. Three semiautomatic feature-based methods for CCTA/3DE registration were implemented and applied on CAD patients. Methods were verified and compared using landmarks manually identified by a cardiologist. All methods were found feasible for CCTA/3DE fusion.