Fully automated tool to identify the aorta and compute flow using phase-contrast MRI: validation and application in a large population based study
Document Type
Article
Abstract
PURPOSE: To assess if fully automated localization of the aorta can be achieved using phase contrast (PC) MR images. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PC cardiac-gated MR images were obtained as part of a large population-based study. A fully automated process using the Hough transform was developed to localize the ascending aorta (AAo) and descending aorta (DAo). The study was designed to validate this technique by determining: (i) its performance in localizing the AAo and DAo; (ii) its accuracy in generating AAo flow volume and DAo flow volume; and (iii) its robustness on studies with pathological abnormalities or imaging artifacts. RESULTS: The algorithm was applied successfully on 1884 participants. In the randomly selected 50-study validation set, linear regression shows an excellent correlation between the automated (A) and manual (M) methods for AAo flow (r = 0.99) and DAo flow (r = 0.99). Bland-Altman difference analysis demonstrates strong agreement with minimal bias for: AAo flow (mean difference [A-M] = 0.47 ± 2.53 mL), and DAo flow (mean difference [A-M] = 1.74 ± 2.47 mL). CONCLUSION: A robust fully automated tool to localize the aorta and provide flow volume measurements on phase contrast MRI was validated on a large population-based study.
Medical Subject Headings
Algorithms; Aorta (anatomy & histology, physiology); Aortography (methods); Blood Flow Velocity (physiology); Blood Volume (physiology); Blood Volume Determination (methods); Cardiac-Gated Imaging Techniques (methods); Female; Humans; Image Enhancement (methods); Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted (methods, standards); Magnetic Resonance Angiography (methods); Male; Middle Aged; Reproducibility of Results; Sensitivity and Specificity; Software (standards); Software Validation
Publication Date
7-1-2014
Publication Title
Journal of magnetic resonance imaging : JMRI
E-ISSN
1522-2586
Volume
40
Issue
1
First Page
221
Last Page
8
PubMed ID
24115597
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
10.1002/jmri.24338
Recommended Citation
Goel, Akshay; McColl, Roderick; King, Kevin S.; Whittemore, Anthony; and Peshock, Ronald M., "Fully automated tool to identify the aorta and compute flow using phase-contrast MRI: validation and application in a large population based study" (2014). Neuroradiology. 50.
https://scholar.barrowneuro.org/neuroradiology/50
