title: Semi-automated tracking and continuous monitoring of inferior vena cava diameter in simulated and experimental ultrasound imaging.
abstract: Assessment of respirophasic fluctuations in the diameter of the inferior vena cava (IVC) is detrimentally affected by its concomitant displacements. This study was aimed at presenting and validating a method to compensate for IVC movement artifacts while continuously measuring IVC diameter in an automated fashion (with minimal interaction with the user) from a longitudinal B-mode ultrasound clip. Performance was tested on both experimental ultrasound clips collected from four healthy patients and simulations, implementing rigid IVC displacements and pulsation. Compared with traditional M-mode measurements, the new approach systematically reduced errors in caval index assessment (range over maximum diameter value) to an extent depending on individual vessel geometry, IVC movement and choice of the M-line (the line along which the diameter is computed). In experimental recordings, this approach identified both the cardiac and respiratory components of IVC movement and pulsatility and evidenced the spatial dependence of IVC pulsatility. IVC tracking appears to be a promising approach to reduce movement artifacts and to improve the reliability of IVC diameter monitoring.
authors: Mathematical Biology and Physiology, Department of Electronics and Telecommunications, Politecnico di Torino, Torino, Italy. Electronic address: luca.mesin@polito.it.
authors: Luca
authors: L
authors: Mesin
authors: Department of Medical Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
authors: Paolo
authors: P
authors: Pasquero
authors: Department of Medical Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
authors: Stefano
authors: S
authors: Albani
authors: Department of Medical Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
authors: Massimo
authors: M
authors: Porta
authors: Integrative Physiology Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
authors: Silvestro
authors: S
authors: Roatta
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D016477:Artifacts; D003198:Computer Simulation; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D009068:Movement; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012984:Software; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014682:Vena Cava, Inferior / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*
keywords: Inferior vena cava; Tracking; Ultrasound