Vascular modelling and wall motion analysis of ascending and descending aorta with 3D-ultrasound speckle tracking and finite element analysis

Abstract

Introduction: Ultrasound imaging techniques have been employed to assess arterial wall motion and deformation, providing important insights in arterial mechanics and related pathologies. Quantifying local deformation and strains of the aorta may yield insight into the changes of biomechanical properties and vascular compliance, which is essential for understanding the pathogenesis and progression of aortic diseases. Methods: Aortic root and abdominal aorta imaging was performed on 10 healthy volunteers with a commercial 3D echocardiography system (Artida, Toshiba Medical Systems, Tokyo, Japan) by means of a 3D transthoracic probe. Aortic wall motion analysis with speckle tracking was performed on the stored 3D raw data by a modified wall motion tracking algorithm with Advance Cardiac Package (Toshiba, UltraExtend). 3D speckle tracking data were then post-processed with a custom written software (Abaqus Viewer 6.10 Simulia, Providence, RI, USA) in order to compute 3D finite element (FE) models of the aortic section and to visualize local strains and displacements. Results: Computed 3D FE models of the imaged segment of the aortic root and abdominal aorta are depicted in figure 1. Strain and 3D displacement curves of the aortic root differed compared to the abdominal aorta (figure 2), reflecting the different biomechanical and elastic properties. ![Figure][1] Discussion: 3D speckle tracking ultrasound with FE analysis can be successfully used to study the real-time motion and strain of the ascending and descending aorta. This analysis was a first step in understanding and quantifying the different strain patterns of the ascending and descending aorta. [1]: pending:yes