Dynamic model of the left ventricle for use in simulation of myocardial perfusion SPECT and gated SPECT.
Simulation is a useful tool in cardiac SPECT to assess quantification algorithms. However, simple equation-based models are limited in their ability to simulate realistic heart motion and perfusion. We present a numerical dynamic model of the left ventricle, which allows us to simulate normal and anomalous cardiac cycles, as well as perfusion defects. Bicubic splines were fitted to a number of control points to represent endocardial and epicardial surfaces of the left ventricle. A transformation from each point on the surface to a template of activity was made to represent the myocardial perfusion. Geometry-based and patient-based simulations were performed to illustrate this model. Geometry-based simulations modeled (1) a normal patient, (2) a well-perfused patient with abnormal regional function, (3) an ischaemic patient with abnormal regional function, and (4) a patient study including tracer kinetics. Patient-based simulation consisted of a left ventricle including a realistic shape and motion obtained from a magnetic resonance study. We conclude that this model has the potential to study the influence of several physical parameters and the left ventricle contraction in myocardial perfusion SPECT and gated-SPECT studies.
Bullich
S
S
Unitat de Biofísica i Bienginyeria, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Barcelona, Casanova 143, 08036 Barcelona, Spain.
Ros
D
D
Cot
A
A
Falcón
C
C
Muxí
A
A
Pavia
J
J
D000465:Algorithms; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D009200:Myocardial Contraction; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology*; D010477:Perfusion; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D013997:Time Factors; D015899:Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon / Q000379:methods*