A finite element model for functional analysis of 4D cardiac-tagged MR images

Abstract

This paper proposes a new approach for functional analysis of cardiac images. A generic heart model is coupled with finite element methods to assess global and regional function from tagged magnetic resonance images. A model including both the left ventricle (LV) and right ventricle (RV) up to the basal area is needed for comprehensive understanding of cardiac physiology and anatomy. Most existing techniques can only handle the LV. Although some have attempted modeling the whole heart, these models have no geometric reference frame, so that it is difficult to compare different heart shapes and their motion. This paper uses a generic bi-ventricular heart model for functional analysis of heart motion. Three orthogonal tagging directions provide temporal correspondence of material points and enable tracking material points over time. The generic finite element model deforms due to forces exerted from material points by solving governing equations based on physical laws. The resulting model parameters can be used to characterize myocardial motion and deformation, including the basal area. We discuss the possibility of classifying parameters associated with normal and pathological hearts.