Mapping the left ventricular cavity by analysis of images reconstructed from 3D trans-oesophageal echocardiography

Three dimensional measurement of the left ventricle (LV) has many clinical uses but is difficult to achieve. We present a new technique for automatic mapping of the LV cavity using images reconstructed from 3D trans-oesophageal echocardiography. 3D image sets were constructed from an angular sequence of conventional B-mode frames. Reconstructed 2D slices perpendicular to the LV axis were analysed to find the boundary of the LV cavity in each slice. 3D maps of the cavity were constructed by combining boundary positions from successive slices. Images from 3 patients were used to test the algorithm. Consistency was measured by analysing slice-to-slice differences in the boundary position and accuracy was measured by comparison with manual measurements by a cardiologist. Results of this preliminary study show that reconstruction and analysis of images perpendicular to the LV axis is a practical technique for mapping the LV cavity.