Development of Novel Methods for Tissue Characterization in the Heart with Ultrasound Imaging

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Development of Novel Methods for Tissue Characterization in the Heart with Ultrasound Imaging******BACKGROUND: Ultrasound imaging is one of the most widely used medical imaging modalities (tens of thousands of clinical and research machines worldwide) as a result of its relatively low cost, safety (no ionizing radiation – X-Rays), portability and rapid acquisition speeds. Ultrasound imaging in heart disease (Echocardiography) is routinely used to measure heart structure and function, blood flow, and several other properties of the heart (most used clinical imaging test for diagnosis of heart disease). However, Echocardiography (ultrasound applied to the heart) is not currently used to detect scar (fibrosis) in heart. ******MOTIVATION: When the heart muscle is damaged (e.g. heart attack), part of the muscle dies and a protective scar forms, called replacement fibrosis, which is composed of structural molecules such as collagen. The accurate diagnoses of heart disease and optimal prescription of therapy requires information about the formation of scar (fibrosis) in the heart. Currently, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the gold standard test for the detection of fibrosis. However, MRI is relatively expensive, not available outside major hospital centres, excludes many patients (e.g. many with implanted devices, those in critical care environments, obese patients) and requires an injected contrast agent injection to detect fibrosis. The proposed program will center on the development of ultrasound imaging to allow the imaging of scar (fibrosis).******METHODS: We will achieve our goals using a special mode of ultrasound imaging called harmonic ultrasound. Harmonic sound waves are generated from structures that have certain material properties. The scar tissue that forms in heart disease is made primarily of collagen and other molecules that generate very strong harmonic sound waves. By optimizing ultrasound imaging to give the maximum harmonic signal from collagen, we expect to be able to generate clear images of scar tissue in the heart. ******IMPACT: The development of new echocardiography tests for scar in the heart will immediately impact the field of ultrasound imaging as well as thousands of Canadians. We expect our proposed technical innovations will advance the field of ultrasound imaging, in the heart and all other tissues. For Canadians, we anticipate that a faster, cheaper and more widely available test for the most common heart disease in Canada (heart attack) will lead to improved delivery of health care. The best therapy (based on accurate diagnosis) applied as soon as possible after the initial event will have the highest impact. By providing imaging of scar to the most widely available imaging tool in cardiology (Echocardiography) we hope to improve frontline medical care in both large medical centres and the smaller satellite centres using ultrasound on a daily basis.