Abstract: In this paper, we report an automated approach to plaque tissue characterization in three-dimensional intravascular ultrasound images. Our previously reported automated method for coronary wall and plaque segmentation in intravascular ultrasound pullback sequences represent the first step of the method. Tissue characterization into two classes of soft and hard plaque is based on texture analysis and pattern recognition. Texture description features included gray- level-based measures, co-occurrence matrices, run length measures, and fractal-based measures. Performance of the method was assessed in cadaveric coronary arteries by comparison to the observer-defined plaque composition. Overall classification correctness of 90% was achieved. !6
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