Real-time measurement system for the evaluation of the intima media thickness with a new edge detector.
The evaluation of the intima media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid artery (CCA) with B-mode ultrasonography represents an important index of cardiovascular risk. The IMT is defined as the distance between the leading edge of the lumen-intima interface and the leading edge of the media-adventitia interface. In order to evaluate the IMT, it is necessary to locate such edges. In this paper we developed an automatic real-time system to evaluate the IMT based on the first order absolute moment (FOAM), which is used as an edge detector, and on a pattern recognition approach. The IMT measurements were compared with manual measurements. We used regression analysis and Bland-Altman analysis to compare the results.
Faita
Francesco
F
Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, Pisa, Italy. f.faita@ifc.cnr.it
Gemignani
Vincenzo
V
Bianchini
Elisabetta
E
Giannarelli
Chiara
C
Demi
Marcello
M
D000465:Algorithms; D001185:Artificial Intelligence; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003199:Computer Systems; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000379:methods*; 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; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*