CRITERIA FOR ANATOMICAL COMPATIBILITY OF THE TOTAL ARTIFICIAL-HEART -COMPUTERIZED 3-DIMENSIONAL MODELING OF THE CARDIOVASCULAR ANATOMY

A quantitative study of cardiovascular anatomy was performed by obtain ing three-dimensional reconstructions from regular computed tomography scan images in 15 patients, all candidates for heart transplantation. Volumetric estimates of the cardiovascular structures were obtained f rom these three-dimensional reconstructions using data directly relate d to total artificial heart (TAH) implantations. By using computerized three-dimensional modeling of these structures, reproducible measurem ents of the parameters defining the shape and the anatomical connectio ns of the intrathoracic space available for TAH implantation could be derived. The results are intended to be used for both technical and cl inical applications such as computer-assisted drawing of the pericardi al cavity and the anatomical connections (useful for improving the des ign of TAH) and combined statistical calculations (multiple regression s, cluster algorithm) of the measurement results, which will then enab le the best selection to be made among two or three TAH models for eac h patient.