Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse (ARFI) Imaging of Cardiac Tissue

摘要 几乎每一种形式的心脏病都会引起心肌僵硬的变化。 目前临床上可行的评估心肌硬度的测量技术是EI。 其他侵入性的和/或涉及图像衍生的指标。我们建议使用一种新的成像技术 声辐射力脉冲(ARFI)成像法是一种测量机械结构的新方法。 心肌组织的力学特性。该技术采用超声波辐射力。 使组织移位。然后用常规超声观察患者的反应 组织的力量。我们提供了初步的数据，显示了这项技术在 想象在正常心肌功能下发生的僵硬变化。我们支持- 提出进一步发展ARFI成像技术，然后研究ARFI的用途 利用动物模型进行心脏功能异常的影像检测。此外，我们支持- 对儿童心脏移植患者进行人体临床研究。这些研究将 评估ARFI成像提供移植排斥反应早期检测的潜力， 对心力衰竭的严重程度进行分级，并区分收缩和舒张期 心力衰竭。

Abstract Nearly every form of cardiac disease involves changes to the myocardial stiffness. Current clinically-viable measurement techniques to assess myocardial stiffness are ei- ther invasive and/or involve image-derived metrics. We propose the use of a new imaging method, called Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse (ARFI) imaging, in measuring the me- chanical properties of myocardial tissue. The technique employs ultrasonic radiation force to displace tissue. Conventional ultrasound is then used to observe the response of the tissue to the force. We present preliminary data showing the success of this technique in imaging the changes in stiffness that occur under normal myocardial function. We pro- pose to further develop the ARFI imaging technique and then investigate the use of ARFI imaging in detecting abnormal heart function using animal models. In addition, we pro- pose human clinical studies with pediatric cardiac transplant patients. These studies will evaluate the potential of ARFI imaging to provide early detection of transplant rejection, in grading the severity of heart failure, and in distinguishing between systolic and diastolic heart failure.