Computer-assisted planning of cardiac interventions and heart surgery

Abstract

Medical imaging techniques like Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Computed Tomography (CT) are able to deliver high-resolution 3D images of the human heart. New acquisition techniques even allow measuring 4D images: 3D plus time. They show the details of the contraction of the heart. Multichannel Electrocardiography (ECG) can be used to measure relevant characteristics of the electrophysiology of the heart. In parallel, new methods have made their way into the 'catheter laboratory' to measure electrophysiological data from inside the heart using localizable, multichannel catheter electrodes. In summary, a huge amount of data is acquired to support the cardiologist and the heart surgeon - the problem is to merge all the information to a clear diagnostic picture. Mathematical models simulate the electrophysiology and the elastomechanics of the heart with a very high degree of precision. This article presents first results on the way to merge all the measured data (MRI, CT, ECG, catheter-electrodes) to a 'virtual heart of the patient' in order to support the physician during diagnosis and therapy planning..