Quantitative evaluation of left ventricle performance from two dimensional echo images.
OBJECTIVE
We sought to quantify the left ventricle systolic dysfunction by a geometric index from two-dimensional (2D) echocardiography by implementing an automated fuzzy logic edge detection algorithm for the segmentation.


BACKGROUND
The coronary injuries have repercussions on the left ventricle producing changes on wall contractility, the shape of the cavity, and as a whole changes on the ventricular function.


METHODS
2D echocardiogram and M-mode recordings were performed over the control group and those with the dysfunctions. From 2D recordings, individual frames were extracted for at least five cardiac cycles and then segmentation of left ventricle was done by automated fuzzy systems. In each frame, the volumes are measured and a geometric index, eccentricity ratio (ER), was derived. The endocardial fractional shortening (FS), midwall fractional shortening (mFS), and the relative wall thickness (RWT) were also measured in each case.


RESULTS
Depressed value of endocardial FS (20.39 +/- 5.43 vs 34.28 +/- 9.36, P = 0.0046), mFS (33 +/- 8.3 vs 52.5 +/- 11.7, P = 0.0047), and the RWT (0.337 +/- 0.096 vs 0.525 +/- 0.119, P = 0.0002) was observed with dysfunction. ER measured at end-diastole (2.86 +/- 0.703 vs 4.14 +/- 0.38) and end-systole (3.14 +/- 0.79 vs 5.48 +/- 0.74) was found to be decreased in the dysfunction group and more significant at the end-systole (P = 0.00017 vs 6.6E-06).


CONCLUSIONS
This work concludes that the regional and global left ventricle systolic dysfunction can be assessed by the ER measured at end-diastole and end-systole from 2D echocardiogram and may contribute to the high rate of cardiovascular disorders.
Manivannan
J
J
Biomedical Engineering Division, IIT MADRAS, Chennai, India.
Reddy
M Ramasubba
MR
Thanikachalam
S
S
Kumar
R Ajay
RA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000465:Algorithms; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D017143:Fuzzy Logic; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010363:Pattern Recognition, Automated / Q000379:methods*; D013599:Systole; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*