A system for real-time measurement of the brachial artery diameter in B-mode ultrasound images.
The measurement of the brachial artery diameter is frequently used in clinical studies for evaluating the flow-mediated dilation and, in conjunction with the blood pressure value, for assessing arterial stiffness. This paper presents a system for computing the brachial artery diameter in real-time by analyzing B-mode ultrasound images. The method is based on a robust edge detection algorithm which is used to automatically locate the two walls of the vessel. The measure of the diameter is obtained with subpixel precision and with a temporal resolution of 25 samples/s, so that the small dilations induced by the cardiac cycle can also be retrieved. The algorithm is implemented on a standalone video processing board which acquires the analog video signal from the ultrasound equipment. Results are shown in real-time on a graphical user interface. The system was tested both on synthetic ultrasound images and in clinical studies of flow-mediated dilation. Accuracy, robustness, and intra/inter observer variability of the method were evaluated.
Gemignani
Vincenzo
V
Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, Pisa, 56124 Italy. gemi@ifc.cnr.it
Faita
Francesco
F
Ghiadoni
Lorenzo
L
Poggianti
Elisa
E
Demi
Marcello
M
D000465:Algorithms; D019412:Anatomy, Cross-Sectional / Q000379:methods*; D001185:Artificial Intelligence; D003199:Computer Systems; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D010363:Pattern Recognition, Automated / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler / Q000379:methods*