Comparative study of 3D reconstruction of left atrial appendage model based on ultrasound and CT 3D DICOM data

Abstract

Objective To investigate the consistency of the anatomical parameters of left atrial appendage (LAA) based on three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (3D-TEE) and CT of 3D print datasource by the post-processing of DICOM data. Methods Sixty-three patients with atrial fibrillation in our hospital who underwent 3D-TEE and cardiac CT examination were selected and the original DICOM data of the LAA were obtained. The volume images of LAA were acquired by the postprocessing of Mimics software.After measuring and evaluating the anatomical parameters, the differences of parameters between TEE and CT were compared and the consistency of the two methods was evaluated. Results The data of 63 patients with atrial fibrillation obtained by 3D-TEE and CT were successfully post-treated and the detailed anatomical parameters of LAA were obtained. Morphological parameters: the Kappa values of the anatomical shape and opening shape of the LAA based on the 3D-TEE and CT data were 91.0%, 69.3%, respectively. Measurement parameters: the area, perimeter, long axis, short axis of ostiums of LAA, and depth of LAA by CT were larger than those by 3D-TEE(all P 0.05). LAA′measurements of 3D-TEE was concordant well with CT′s by Bland-Altman analysis. Conclusions In agreement with CT, 3D-TEE can also be used as a datasource for 3D printing by evaluating spatial morphology of the LAA. Key words: Echocardiography, transesophageal, three-dimensional; CT; Left atrial appendage; 3D printing