April 10, 2008 - Three-dimensional (3D) visualization of the right ventricle provides important shape and volumetric insights that help cardiologists diagnose and treat patients with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), according to a paper published in the American Journal Cardiology (2008; Vol. 101, Issue 1, 107-113).
The 3D models created in the study provided volumetric data that was used to determine that patients with TOF had dilated right ventricles compared to individuals with normal function (end-diastolic volume index 216 /- 99 vs 81 /- 16 ml/mm, p
Entitled "Three-Dimensional Analysis of Right Ventricular Remodeling in Repaired Tetralogy of Fallot," the paper was authored by Florence H. Sheehan, M.D. The research was a collaboration between investigators at Texas Children's Hospital, Oregon Health and Science University, University of Iowa and University of Washington in Seattle, WA. The study used piecewise smooth subdivision reconstruction to create 3D models of the hearts of eight normal subjects and 15 patients with repaired TOF.
"Right ventricle measurement is a critical component in understanding the effectiveness of TOF repair," said Dr. Sheehan, who is a professor at the University of Washington and chief scientist of VentriPoint Diagnostics Ltd. "We hope to now fully develop the novel diagnostic tools that make the process of accurately obtaining this information easier and much quicker."
Researchers apply the piecewise smooth subdivision surface method by tracing heart borders from many two-dimensional images of a heart. VentriPoint Diagnostics is developing a new product, the VentriPoint Diagnostic System (VDS), to enable a similar analysis after a medical professional enters a small number of anatomical points on the heart images. The VDS uses knowledge-based reconstruction to automatically compare the points to a database and generate a 3D model. This model provides volumetric and anatomical data for the cardiologist.
For more information: www.ajconline.org and www.ventripoint.com
May 12, 2020 
