CONTOUR EXTRACTION FROM CARDIAC MRI STUDIES USING SNAKES

We investigated automatic extraction of left ventricular contours from cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) studies. The contour extract ion algorithms were based on active contour models, or snakes, Based o n cardiac MR image characteristics, we suggested algorithms for extrac ting contours from these large data sets, We specifically considered c ontour propagation methods to make the contours reliable enough despit e noise, artifacts, and poor temporal resolution, The emphasis was on reliable contour extraction with a minimum of user interaction, Both S pin echo and Gradient echo studies were considered. The extracted cont ours were used for determining quantitative measures for the heart and could also be used for obtaining graphically rendered cardiac surface s.