Bringing 3D ultrasound into practice for cardiac quantification

By Philips ∙ June 2024 ∙ 2 min read

Health informatics

Ultrasound

White paper

Measuring chamber volumes from 3D echo is a useful method for cardiac quantification. However, the required expertise, as well as exam length, has limited its clinical acceptance. Philips Dynamic HeartModel* helps clinicians to overcome these barriers to deliver an efficient and robust method of cardiac function assessment.

Dynamic HeartModel tracks every frame over the cardiac cycle using 3D speckle technology to provide a holistic view of the left heart function. Automated border detection, multi-beat selection and results average yield a more reliable heart function evaluation than single beat in arrhythmia patients.

At a glance:

Acquiring images for Dynamic HeartModel
How the model-based segmentation algorithm works
Measurement options: cardiac mass, multi-beat analysis, simultaneous analysis of LV and LA volumes

Figure 1: Example of a properly acquired 3D volume of the LV and LA from a standard apical four-chamber window.

Acquiring images for Dynamic HeartModel

Dynamic HeartModel uses algorithms to find the heart in a 3D volume acquired from the standard apical four-chamber window, with the LV and LA centered along the volume axis. The field of view should be just wide enough and deep enough to include the entire LV and LA, so that the frame rate is not reduced more than necessary. At least 14 ASE segments should be visible.

How the model-based segmentation algorithm works

The Dynamic HeartModel algorithm uses information about the heart that was obtained through extensive training using approximately 1,000 echo images. This training allows the application to adapt the model to hearts typically seen in a clinical scenario. The application then uses a model-based segmentation algorithm to align the model to the image at increasingly finer spatial scales.

While the Dynamic HeartModel automatically detects borders, it also offers an editing interface if the user wants to fine-tune results to meet individual preference or to adjust to unusual cases.

Measurement options: cardiac mass, multi-beat analysis, simultaneous analysis of LV and LA volumes

Dynamic HeartModel enables measurement of cardiac mass in 3D, negating the need for geometric assumptions that are used in 2D imaging and can lead to errors. It also provides the ability to measure up to five beats and average the results, which provides a better basis for analysis than a single beat. An additional advantage of using 3D volumes for analysis of cardiac function is the ability to accurately measure the volume of the LV and the volume of the LA on the same cardiac cycle.

A more detailed discussion about Dynamic HeartModel and its clinical use can be found by downloading the white paper.