Automated registration of 3D TEE datasets of the descending aorta for improved examination and quantification of atheromas burden

Abstract

We propose a robust and efficient approach for the reconstruction of the descending aorta from contiguous 3D transesophageal echocardiographic (TEE) images. It is based on an ad hoc protocol, designed to acquire ordered and partially overlapped 3D TEE datasets, followed by automated image registration that relies on this a priori knowledge. The method was validated using artificially derived misaligned images, and then applied to 14 consecutive patients. Both qualitative and quantitative results demonstrated the potential feasibility and accuracy of the proposed approach. Its clinical applicability could improve the assessment of aortic total plaque burden from 3D TEE images. © 2014 Springer International Publishing.