Finite element models of the left ventricle based on 3D speckle tracking echocardiography

Abstract

Introduction: Integration of cardiovascular imaging and modelling techniques is an emerging approach for the investigation of cardiac mechanics. Quantitative and accurate estimation of cardiac motion and deformation are important for evaluating physiological and pathological cardiac mechanical function. Three-dimensional (3D) speckle tracking echocardiography enables determination of motion and deformation pattern of the left ventricle (LV) in vivo. In this study, we constructed 3D finite element (FE) models of the LV from 3D speckle tracking echocardiography data in order to measure regional LV wall motion and deformation. Methods: Imaging of the LV was performed on 8 healthy volunteers and 2 patients with cardiomyopathy (1 dilated and 1 hypertrophic cardiomyopathy) with a commercial 3D echocardiography system (Artida, Toshiba Medical Systems) by means of a 3D transthoracic probe. 3D speckle tracking data were then post-processed with a custom written FE preprocessor and a commercial FE solver (Abaqus 6.10 Simulia, Providence, RI, USA) in order to compute 3D finite element models of the LV and to visualize local strains and displacements. Results: Computed 3D FE models of the LV are depicted in figure 1. FE modelling enabled detailed strain analysis for up to 1260 segments of the LV wall in contrast to the standard 16-segment analysis by the echocardiography-workstation. ![Figure][1] Conclusion: Three-dimensional FE models derived from in vivo speckle tracking echocardiography data allow detailed quantitative evaluation of cardiac motion and deformation with higher resolution than standard echocardiographic speckle tracking analysis. This integrated modeling of the LV may provide more insights in the interpretation of cardiac mechanics under normal and abnormal conditions on an individualized basis. [1]: pending:yes