Elsevier

Computers & Graphics

Volume 24, Issue 5, October 2000, Pages 731-739
Computers & Graphics

Dynamic Medical Visualization
3D heart modelling from biplane, rotational angiocardiographic X-ray sequences

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0097-8493(00)00075-3Get rights and content

Abstract

The 3DHeartView project produced an advanced software application for time-variant 3D cardiac modelling based on back projection of rotational X-ray angiographic sequences. Due to standard DICOM 3.0 interface, the software can be used as an add-on to any modern digital angiographer. The system accuracy has been measured and the approach has been validated with static and dynamic phantom object studies. The prototype has been tested in a clinical routine environment as well. In this paper we present the main features of the system, the methodology of 3D angiographic modelling, and certain testing and operation results. We also describe the application of high-performance computing technology in the modelling process.

Section snippets

Introduction and motivation

Cardiac diseases are the most common reason for mortality in industrial countries. Statistically, about 50% of the population will suffer from cardiovascular diseases, followed by cancer in approximately 20%. Prevalence of clinical active coronary heart disease in industrialised countries is estimated to be 3.1–3.5% of the population, representing approximately 11 million persons in the European Union only; the figures for other industrialised countries are similar. Further, in the European

Methods

In contrast to other diagnostic techniques like Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computer Tomography (CT), and Echocardiography (ECHO), X-ray angiography has not yet advanced into the area of three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction and visualisation. The reasons lie in the empirical and rather qualitative nature of the diagnostic process.

  • The acquisition of angiographic images is a manually driven procedure aiming to provide the cardiologist with an ad hoc view of the cardiac structure of

Results

The resolution of the 3D modelling system was found to be lower than 2 mm. Fig. 5 shows an example of a dye-filled laboratory tube with a dye-filled surrounding catheter. Only thin plastic walls separate both objects, which could be distinguished after 3D modelling clearly.

Concave parts of a phantom could be visualised, only minimal openings to inner caves of a phantom extracted by a ventricle post-mortem were not detected. Concavities in clinical cardiology are recognised and validated by

Discussion

Due to image quality and high-temporal resolution, angiography has become the standard diagnostic tool in adult and paediatric cardiology. In competition with other imaging tools (e.g. ECHO, MRI) the indications for angiographic investigations have developed gradually from rather simple diagnostic procedures to more complicated catheter-related interventions. In this context, better spatial orientation supported by a 3D-heart model would be welcome, however, unfortunately, these informations

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Dr. P.P. Lunkenheimer, MD, Ph.D., Department of Experimental Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, University of Münster, Germany, for giving us access to lots of ventricular casts of his collection and his contribution by the production of additional casts. We also thank Christiane Sandbote for her assistance in 3D modelling the ventricular casts.

This work was partly supported by the European Commission under the Esprit program — project No. 24484: 3DHeartView.

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