Biomedical subjects

Matts Karlsson

Publications and source records attributed to Matts Karlsson.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Comparison of different methods for combining phase-contrast images obtained with multiple coils.

The ability to determine coil sensitivities implies that a method optimized in terms of maximized signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) can be applied to the combination of multiple coil images. An optimization of SNR subsequently results in a minimized variance in quantitative velocity measurements using phase-contrast imaging. When coil sensitivities are unknown, the weighted mean method, utilizing the square of the signal magnitude as weights, is suitable for combination of multiple phase images. In this study, the optimized method using estimated coil sensitivities was compared to the weighted mean method both theoretically and experimentally. It is shown that absence of noise correlation between the different coil images implies no difference between the methods regarding the variance of the phase. In the practical situation, noise correlation does exist, implying an opportunity for further reduction of phase variance using the optimized method. In vitro and in vivo studies showed, however, no significant difference between the two methods studied.

Aorta↗

PubMed2004

Increases in mitral leaflet radii of curvature with chronic ischemic mitral regurgitation.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Leaflet curvature is a primary determinant of leaflet stress, but no quantitative in-vivo leaflet curvature data exist. Chronic ischemic mitral regurgitation (CIMR) is associated with remodeling of the valvular-ventricular complex. It was hypothesized that leaflet radii of curvature (ROC) would change with such remodeling. METHODS: Twelve sheep had placement of radiopaque markers on the anterior (APM) and posterior (PPM) papillary muscles, mitral annulus, and anterior (AL) and posterior leaflet (PL) midlines. After 8 +/- 2 days, videofluoroscopy provided baseline 3-D marker data prior to creating inferior myocardial infarction (MI) by snare occlusion of the obtuse marginal coronary arteries. After 7 +/- 1 weeks, the animals were re-studied; 3-D marker coordinates were used to determine end-systolic leaflet ROC, leaflet length, annular septal-lateral diameter, and the distance of each papillary muscle to the mid-septal annulus and each commissure. RESULTS: Before and after CIMR, the AL had compound curvature, and CIMR increased ROC of both curves (proximal ROC 1.27 +/- 0.59 to 1.38 +/- 0.60 cm (p <0.05); distal ROC 1.41 +/- 0.61 to 2.60 +/- 1.52 cm (p < 0.05)). The PL ROC also increased with CIMR (from 2.01 +/- 1.40 to 3.46 +/- 3.93) (p <0.05). Multiple regression analysis determined that annular septal-lateral diameter (proximal AL and distal AL), distance from the APM to anterior commissure (distal AL), and PPM to mid-septal annulus (PL) were independent predictors of leaflet ROC. CONCLUSION: CIMR increased ROC of both the AL and PL. Leaflet extension may be a compensatory mechanism to minimize the regurgitant orifice, but the attendant increase in ROC will tend to augment leaflet stress. Annular and subvalvular geometry both affect leaflet curvature, and should be considered during mitral repair. These novel quantitative in-vivo data are now available for modification of finite element models, and for comparison to finite element model output.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Accuracy and reproducibility in phase contrast imaging using SENSE.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy and reproducibility of phase contrast imaging using the sensitivity encoding (SENSE) method at different reduction factors. Analytical expressions were derived that state how reproducibility is influenced for velocity and flow measurements. Computer simulations, and in vitro and in vivo studies were performed in order to validate these expressions and to assess how accuracy is affected when different reduction factors are applied. It was shown that reproducibility depends on the reduction and geometry factors. Since the geometry factor varies spatially, so does the reproducibility for phase contrast imaging. In areas with high geometry factors, the standard deviation (SD) may become so large that aliasing occurs. The accuracy of phase contrast imaging is not influenced directly when SENSE is used, but may be indirectly influenced due to high SDs of the measured phase that may subsequently cause aliasing. The current results show that it is possible to achieve accurate flow measurements even at high reduction factors. By taking the geometry factor into account, it may be possible to find areas where phase contrast imaging is accurate even at high reduction factors.

Blood Flow Velocity↗

PubMed2002

Correction for displacement artifacts in 3D phase contrast imaging.

PURPOSE: To correct for displacement artifacts in 3D phase contrast imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 3D phase contrast pulse sequence was modified so that displacements of velocity measurements were restricted to one direction. By applying a postprocessing method, displaced measurements could be traced back to their accurate positions. Flow studies were performed using a phantom that generated flow through a stenosis, directed oblique relative to the phase and frequency encoding directions. Velocity profiles and streamline visualization were used to compare displaced and corrected velocity data to a reference. RESULTS: Velocity profiles obtained from the original measurement showed skewed profiles due to the displacement artifact, both at close proximity to the orifice as well as further downstream. After correction, concordance with the reference improved considerably. CONCLUSION: The displacement artifact, which restricts the accuracy of phase contrast measurements, can be corrected for using the proposed method. Correction of the phase contrast velocity data may improve the accuracy of subsequent flow analysis and visualization.

Artifacts↗

PubMed2002

Kinematics of the heart: strain-rate imaging from time-resolved three-dimensional phase contrast MRI.

A four-dimensional mapping (three spatial dimensions + time) of myocardial strain-rate would help to describe the mechanical properties of the myocardium, which affect important physiological factors such as the pumping performance of the ventricles. Strain-rate represents the local instantaneous deformation of the myocardium and can be calculated from the spatial gradients of the velocity field. Strain-rate has previously been calculated using one-dimensional (ultrasound) or two-dimensional (2-D) magnetic resonance imaging) techniques. However, this assumes that myocardial motion only occurs in one direction or in one plane, respectively. This paper presents a method for calculation of the time-resolved three-dimensional (3-D) strain-rate tensor using velocity vector information in a 3-D spatial grid during the whole cardiac cycle. The strain-rate tensor provides full information of both magnitude and direction of the instantaneous deformation of the myocardium. A method for visualization of the full 3-D tensor is also suggested. The tensors are visualized using ellipsoids, which display the principal directions of strain-rate and the ratio between strain-rate magnitude in each direction. The presented method reveals the principal strain-rate directions without a priori knowledge of myocardial motion directions.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗