Abstract
Abnormal changes in orientation of myofibers are associated with various cardiac diseases such as arrhythmia, irregular contraction, and cardiomyopathy. To extract fiber information, we present a method of quantifying fiber orientation and reconstructing three-dimensional tractography of myofibers using optical coherence tomography (OCT). A gradient based algorithm was developed to quantify fiber orientation in three dimensions and particle filtering technique was employed to track myofibers. Prior to image processing, three-dimensional image data set were acquired from all cardiac chambers and ventricular septum of swine hearts using OCT system without optical clearing. The algorithm was validated through rotation test and comparison with manual measurements. The experimental results demonstrate that we are able to visualize three-dimensional fiber tractography in myocardium tissues.
Highlights
An important structural feature of the heart that directly impacts the electrical conduction and mechanical contraction is the orientation of myofibers, diameter of which ranges from 10 μm to 20 μm [1] in normal human heart
Changes in fiber orientation structure may result in abnormal mechanical contraction of heart, which is observed within patients who suffer from cardiomyopathy [5] or dilated hearts [6]
The difference between reference angle and measured angle were within 15% of the reference change of angle
Summary
An important structural feature of the heart that directly impacts the electrical conduction and mechanical contraction is the orientation of myofibers, diameter of which ranges from 10 μm to 20 μm [1] in normal human heart. Abnormal myofiber orientation or myofiber disarray can cause conduction abnormalities resulting in arrhythmia [3]. The myofiber orientation directly influences mechanical contraction where the fibers follow a left-handed helical path near the epicardium and right-handed helical path near the endocardium [4]. Changes in fiber orientation structure may result in abnormal mechanical contraction of heart, which is observed within patients who suffer from cardiomyopathy [5] or dilated hearts [6]
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