Development and application of image processing data processing database and data query tools to study post-infarction cardiac remodeling in man

摘要

Abstract: In the latter 1970s, largely due to the development ofechocardiography and the ready availability of invasivecontrast ventriculography, clinicians noted thatdistinct and serial changes occurred in the heart afterinfarction where cardiac enlargement could progresslong after completion of scarring in the infarctregion. Similar changes have also been observed in thenon-infarcted or non-ischemic myocardial regionscommencing within days of infarction. This process,which involves both viable and infarcted heart muscle,has been termed `post- infarction cardiac remodeling.'A major obstacle to further comprehension ofpost-infarction cardiac remodeling in man has beenrelated to limitations in applications of conventionalcardiac imaging methods and conventional cardiac imageprocessing. Electron beam computed tomography (EBCT)has emerged recently as an alternative means to imagethe heart and has been extensively validated forstudies of ventricular volumes, function, muscle mass,shape, characterization of regional mechanics, andaffords 3-D image registration. A researchinvestigation was designed which involved a total of 55patients entered prospectively following an indexmyocardial infarction. Each was imaged using EBCT athospital discharge, six-weeks, six-months and one-yearafter the event. !11