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Combining4DFlowMRIdataandautomaticanalysistechniquestodevelopa
personalized,closed-loopmodelofthecardiovascularsystem
Contact
Belén Casas
[email protected]
Mariana Bustamante
[email protected]
Background
Models of the cardiovascular system are being increasingly used for the exploration and
assessment of cardiovascular function in health and disease. A key aspect in
cardiovascular modelling is personalization, which consists of tailoring the model to
represent a specific patient. Personalization is often a challenging process that requires
large volumes of clinical measurements to be integrated into the model. We are currently
working on developing personalized, reduced-order models of the cardiovascular system
using measurements from three-dimensional, three-directional, time-resolved phase
contrast (PC) MRI (4D Flow MRI). This technique allows accurate assessment of flow
volumes retrospectively at any location in a 3D volume over the cardiac cycle. Due to the
large quantity and variety of information that is obtained within one single acquisition,
analysis of the 4D Flow MRI datasets for incorporating measurements into the model can
be demanding. In this context, automatic analysis methods, such as automatic
segmentation or valve tracking, can be used to save time and reduce variability of the
model inputs.
Problemstatement
We have developed a lumped parameter of the left-sided heart and the systemic
circulation, as well as a framework to personalize the model using 4D Flow MRI data. In
this project, we aim to extend the current model to include the right side of the heart and
the pulmonary circulation, thus creating a closed-loop model. The project can be
subdivided in the following tasks:
- Implementation of the cardiovascular model to include the pulmonary circulation and
the right side of the heart.
- Application of already developed semi-automatic segmentation methods to the 4D Flow
MRI datasets available.
- Extension of the personalization approach to incorporate new measurements into the
model.
Prerequisites
The project is suitable for one or two students with a background in electrical
engineering, computer science and/or physics and good skills in Matlab programming.
References
[1]
M. Markl, P. J. Kilner, and T. Ebbers, “Comprehensive 4D velocity mapping of
the heart and great vessels by cardiovascular magnetic resonance,” J. Cardiovasc.
Magn. Reson., vol. 13, no. 1, p. 7, 2011.
[2]
Y.Shi, P.Lawford, and R.Hose, “Review of zero-D and 1-D models of blood flow
in the cardiovascular system,” Biomed Eng Online., vol. 10, no. 33, 2011
[3]
M. Bustamante, S. Petersson, J. Eriksson, U. Alehagen, P. Dyverfeldt, C.-J.
Carlhäll, and T. Ebbers, “Atlas-based analysis of 4D flow CMR: Automated vessel
segmentation and flow quantification,” J. Cardiovasc. Magn. Reson., vol. 17, no.
1, p. 87, 2015.