Estimation of Local Aortic Elastic Properties With MRI

Mustapha Al Kharfane

Semester Project

Life Science Section, EPFL

June 2009

Abstract

Our aim is by using a non-invasive technique, the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), we will try to evaluate, by using an image processing tool, two parameters: the Pulse Wave Velocity (PWV) and the aortic compliance, which are considered as important determiners of heart load and clinically useful indices of cardiovascular risk.
Images obtained by MRI fall into two categories: Magnitude images and phase images. The magnitude images give us information about the change of the aortic cross-section during blood ejection. While phase images give us information concerning the blood flow through the imaged cross-section. During this semester project, an ImageJ plugin permitting to outline the cross-section of the ascending aorta and the descending aorta has been developed. This plugin is based on the algorithm of "Parametric snakes". A view of some results is shown in figures 1 and 2.