Cardiac CT image-based coronary artery calcified plaque automatic detection method

Abstract

The invention relates to a cardiac CT image-based coronary artery calcified plaque automatic detection method and belongs to the biomedical engineering technical field. According to the cardiac CT image-based coronary artery calcified plaque automatic detection method, on the basis of the three-dimensional reconstruction of cardiac CT images, the calcified plaques of coronary arteries are described and distinguished from different perspectives through a series of features; and the candidate calcified plaques of the coronary arteries are classified and quantified according to four stages, and therefore, the automatic detection of the calcified plaques can be realized. With the technology of the invention adopted, calcified plaques in a group of cardiac CT images can be automatically and quickly detected and measured, and coronary branches where the calcified plaques are located can be identified; the burden of labor force and errors caused by subjective factors can be effectively reduced; and the efficiency and accuracy of film reading can be improved. The method is of great clinical significance and enables considerable social and economic benefits.

Description

technical field [0001] The invention belongs to the technical field of biomedical engineering, and in particular relates to an automatic detection method for coronary artery calcified plaques based on heart CT images. Background technique [0002] Cardiovascular diseases, including coronary heart disease, hypertension, congestive heart failure and congenital cardiovascular defects, are among the diseases with the highest mortality rates worldwide. The underlying cause of most heart attacks and sudden cardiac death is growing atherosclerotic plaque, which is considered vulnerable. Calcified plaque in a coronary artery is a marker of the degree of atherosclerosis in that vessel and thus can be used as a predictive tool to predict the likelihood of coronary artery disease in both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. [0003] Calcified coronary plaques may be located anywhere in the following main coronary arteries and their branches: left main (Left Main, LM), left anterior ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, such a process is often time-consuming and laborious, especially when conducting longitudinal studies and large-scale screening

This largely limits the application of calcium scoring, which is difficult to promote as a routine examination in all cardiac CT scans

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