Cardiovascular Engineering and Technology最新文献

{"title":"Evaluating the Impact of Annotation Expertise on AI-Based Ultrasound Segmentation: A Case Study on Left Atrial Appendage.","authors":"Rafael Fernandes, João L Vilaça, Helena R Torres, Yiting Fan, Alex Pui-Wai Lee, Pedro Morais","doi":"10.1007/s13239-025-00816-8","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s13239-025-00816-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Medical image segmentation using artificial intelligence (AI) is a prominent area of research with diverse applications across various fields. During the last years, a multitude of datasets representing different body structures have been developed and made publicly available. However, the volume of data-particularly the ground truth data, which often relies on manual annotation-remains limited. Supervised learning remains the state-of-the-art approach for deep learning methods; however, its performance is often reported as dependent on the expertise of the operator for the ground truth generation. This dependency becomes more critical when dealing with challenging medical imaging modalities, such as ultrasound, often characterized by low image quality and various artifacts.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study aims to investigate the influence of user expertise on the accuracy of ground truth annotations and their impact on the final performance of the segmentation method. Specifically, we focus on the task of segmenting the left atrial appendage (LAA) in ultrasound images. Two datasets were initially created: one annotated by an Expert and the other by a novice observer. Additionally, synthetic variations of these manually annotated datasets were generated by introducing both systematic and non-systematic errors to examine their effects on segmentation outcomes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Using the nnU-Net framework as the computational basis, the network was trained on each dataset, and the results were evaluated against the Expert's test labels. Training with Expert and Naive contours achieved Dice values in the test set of 0.81 ± 0.09 and 0.77 ± 0.12, respectively, with no statistically significant differences between them. Similarly, training with synthetic variations obtained showed no statistically significant differences for non-systematic errors, whereas systematic errors result in statistically significant differences against manual contours.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>These findings demonstrate that the AI network remains highly effective across most tested scenarios, even when synthetic errors are introduced, showcasing its ability to handle non-systematic errors efficiently, which synthetically mimic the variability between observers. However, the network encounters greater challenges with systematic errors, failing to accurately delineate the LAA boundaries.</p>","PeriodicalId":54322,"journal":{"name":"Cardiovascular Engineering and Technology","volume":" ","pages":"85-95"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145907461","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluation of Blood-Sampling Performance of Automatic Fingertip-Blood-Sampling System and Correlation Between Fingertip-Blood-Vessel Image and Blood-Sampling Volume.","authors":"Takashi Irie, Kei Takenaka, Sakuichiro Adachi, Taku Sakazume, Yuji Oyamada, Hiroki Doi, Taku Kato, Hiroyasu Ito","doi":"10.1007/s13239-025-00812-y","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s13239-025-00812-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>This study aimed to evaluate the blood-sampling performance of an automatic fingertip blood-sampling system with a fingertip vessel-puncture function (FBS-FV) and to examine the relationship between sampled blood volume and fingertip blood-vessel image features.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>To obtain a consistent blood volume for testing, the FBS-FV selects and punctures near a large blood based on fingertip blood-vessel imaging and promotes bleeding by alternately pressing and releasing the fingertip. A blood-sampling experiment was conducted with 18 participants (men and women in their 20 to 60 s). Puncture accuracy, blood volume, and image features (relative brightness at the puncture position V and brightness change due to compression C) were analyzed. Multiple regression was applied to assess the predictive value of V and C for blood volume.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>(1) The deviation between the target and actual puncture positions was less than 1 mm, indicating high accuracy. (2) The proportion of blood samples obtained using the FBS-FV that exceeded the target volume (650 μL) was 42%, which was lower than in a previous experiment where the puncture position selected by the FBS-FV was manually punctured and blood was sampled. (3) Multiple regression analysis using image features V and C yielded coefficients of determination of 0.64 and 0.41 for high- and low-volume groups, respectively, suggesting that the possibility of predicting blood volume using these variables.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The FBS-FV demonstrated precise puncture performance and potential for predicting blood volume using image features. Further optimization of the FBS-FV's compression control might improve the consistency of blood sampling.</p>","PeriodicalId":54322,"journal":{"name":"Cardiovascular Engineering and Technology","volume":" ","pages":"64-75"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145764618","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Hemodynamic Analysis of Non-uniformly Calcified Aortic Valve Using a Partitioned Fluid-Structure Interaction Framework.","authors":"Mishal Raza-Taimuri, Ian Y Chen, Hamid Sadat","doi":"10.1007/s13239-025-00811-z","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s13239-025-00811-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Calcific Aortic Valve Disease (CAVD) is a common cause for aortic stenosis characterized by the progressive calcification and stiffening of the aortic valve, often leading to significant hemodynamic changes and impaired cardiac function. Several Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations have been conducted in the literature to provide more detailed analysis of CAVD, but are mainly reliant on uniform calcification. Also, outcomes from current clinical diagnostic techniques do not account for the effect of non-uniform calcification. The purpose of this study is to extend previous CFD simulations to non-uniformly calcified aortic valves and to evaluate the accuracy of clinical diagnostic methods under these conditions.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>High-fidelity simulations of non-uniformly calcified aortic valves are performed by coupling fluid and solid solvers using a partitioned fluid-structure interaction (FSI) method for a patient-specific valve model extracted from computed tomography (CT) images. Non-uniform calcification is modelled by varying the elasticity along the leaflet, with several levels of calcification ranging from mild to severe.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Non-uniform calcification alters flow physics, leading in up to 35-50% increase in maximum jet velocity and up to 150-170% rise in TPG compared to the normal valve, significant vortex shedding, extended flow separation regions, and intensified wall shear stress (WSS) fluctuations, especially on the ventricular side of the leaflet. The results indicate that the severity of calcification cannot be accurately predicted by several clinical diagnostic methods, with only effective orifice area (EOA) and maximum opening ratio (MOR) emerging as the reliable predictors.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The progression of non-uniform calcification on the aortic valve leaflets significantly impacts both hemodynamics and leaflet mechanics, with clear alterations in flow patterns and biomechanical responses as calcification severity increases. These findings highlight the need for more accurate diagnostic techniques and may drive the development of improved clinical strategies for the management and treatment of CAVD.</p>","PeriodicalId":54322,"journal":{"name":"Cardiovascular Engineering and Technology","volume":" ","pages":"41-63"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12798824/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145795305","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comments on \"Multiobjective Comprehensive Evaluation and Optimization of Interventional Blood Pump Impeller\".","authors":"Ankur Sharma, Varshini Vadhithala, Arun Kumar, Sushma Verma, Sushma Narsing Katkuri","doi":"10.1007/s13239-025-00817-7","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s13239-025-00817-7","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":54322,"journal":{"name":"Cardiovascular Engineering and Technology","volume":" ","pages":"96-97"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145907371","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mechanical Properties of the Myocardium Post-Alcohol Ablation in Transcatheter Mitral Valve Implantation.","authors":"Steven Said, Mina Shafiei, Dong Qiu, Ali N Azadani","doi":"10.1007/s13239-025-00807-9","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s13239-025-00807-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Alcohol septal ablation (ASA) has become a minimally invasive alternative to septal myectomy for treating left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstructions. ASA has gained popularity, especially among patients undergoing transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR). This study aimed to determine the effect of ASA on the mechanical properties of myocardial tissue.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Twenty-four square samples were excised from the septal regions of fresh-frozen swine hearts. Mechanical testing was conducted using a biaxial tester. Half of the samples underwent 3-minute ablation, while the other half underwent 5-minute ablation.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>All samples exhibited a nonlinear response to strain in the fiber and cross-fiber directions. After 3 min of ablation, the mean force required to achieve 20% displacement increased from 182.08-mN to 347.42-mN (true stress from 11.0-KPa to 24.1-KPa) in the fiber direction and from 66.83-mN to 110.75-mN (true stress from 4.3-KPa to 8.2-KPa) in the cross-fiber direction. Following 5 min of ablation, mean force values rose from 178.0-mN to 452.8-mN (true stress from 11.0-KPa to 32.4-KPa) in the fiber direction, and from 70.0-mN to 154.8-mN (true stress from 4.8-KPa to 12.0-KPa) in the cross-fiber direction. All changes were statistically significant (p ≤ 0.002). Histological analysis also revealed that alcohol ablation progressively disrupted myocardial architecture.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study demonstrates that ASA significantly alters the passive mechanical properties of the myocardium, increasing tissue stiffness in the septal region over the short term. The extent of stiffening is directly proportional to the duration of ablation, with longer ablation times causing greater stiffness, necessitating careful selection of ablation time before TMVR procedures.</p>","PeriodicalId":54322,"journal":{"name":"Cardiovascular Engineering and Technology","volume":" ","pages":"1-10"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145201607","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Computational Modeling of Flow in an in Vitro Cerebrovascular Model Under Pulsatile Conditions with Experimental Validation.","authors":"Boyang Su, Brent A Craven, Cody J Kubicki, Daniel Khalil, Scott D Simon, Keefe B Manning","doi":"10.1007/s13239-025-00813-x","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s13239-025-00813-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has been widely used to understand various cardiovascular diseases such as acute ischemic stroke (AIS), which occurs when a blood clot lodges in the cerebrovasculature and obstructs blood flow that may lead to brain damage or death. Compared with medical imaging, CFD can predict hemodynamics and clot migration, which are crucial in better understanding the biomechanics of AIS. To rely on computational modeling, however, the simulations need to be validated by comparing with experiments METHODS: In this study, we develop an in vitro experimental model of pulsatile flow in the aorta and cerebrovasculature. The model was filled with a blood analog fluid and pulsatile flow was driven by a piston pump to generate realistic physiological flow conditions. Experimental measurements of the time-varying pressure and flow rate were acquired and are used to validate corresponding CFD simulations RESULTS: CFD predictions of the time-averaged pressure at the outlets are shown to be within 8% of the experimental measurements, while the time-averaged flow rate is within 1%.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This work demonstrates a promising capability for modeling embolus migration and lodging in the brain. Future work will validate simulations of clot migration that may be used to better understand AIS biomechanics and treatment options.</p>","PeriodicalId":54322,"journal":{"name":"Cardiovascular Engineering and Technology","volume":" ","pages":"76-84"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12746301/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145769937","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Development and Characteristics of a Dual-Layered Vascular Phantom.","authors":"Kaitlyn M Elmer, Cassidy Caffin, Breeanna Scott, Sam E Stephens, Morten O Jensen","doi":"10.1007/s13239-025-00810-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s13239-025-00810-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Cardiovascular phantoms are used in biomedical research and development applications, allowing for complex geometries to be studied in a controlled environment. The various layers of human tissue have been difficult to mimic in these phantoms. In this study, a novel dual-layer cardiovascular phantom is created.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The interior lumen is 3D printed using an elastic vat-photopolymerization resin and cast within an industry standard tissue-mimicking ballistics gel. Strips of the 3D-printed resin were prepared and tested to determine Young's modulus, Ultimate tensile strength, and elongation at break.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The final phantoms were reproducible, semi-transparent, and suitable for microCT scanning. Additionally, the 3D-printed elastic materials had: Young's Modulus of 12 +/- 3.2 MPa, UTS of 1.27 +/- 0.44 MPa, and elongation at break of 29 +/- 9%. These results are within the physiological ranges of human tissues. There was a moderate correlation between the thickness of the sample and stiffness, which may be important depending on the application of the models.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The methods for producing a dual-layered phantom are reproducible and appropriate for a variety of biomedical applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":54322,"journal":{"name":"Cardiovascular Engineering and Technology","volume":" ","pages":"25-40"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12894153/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145490855","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Multiobjective Comprehensive Evaluation and Optimization of Interventional Blood Pump Impeller.","authors":"Xiaoming Cheng, Minggang She, Shengzhang Wang","doi":"10.1007/s13239-025-00808-8","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s13239-025-00808-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Heart failure is a widespread cardiac disease affecting numerous patients globally, and traditional treatment options are inadequate to meet demand. Interventional blood pumps, as a treatment modality, are widely needed but face significant challenges in the multiobjective optimization of structural design.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this study, we utilized an orthogonal experimental design, CFD simulations and principal component analysis to establish a comprehensive evaluation model for interventional blood pumps. Through regression analysis, we determined the relationships between comprehensive indicators and impeller design variables, enabling optimization of the impeller design. The accuracy of the optimization results was validated through in vitro experiments.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Numerical simulations confirmed the effectiveness of the comprehensive evaluation and optimization methods and resulted in the identification of the optimal impeller design. The design emphasized a larger proximal fillet radius and a smaller blood outlet axial length. By comparing simulations with experimental data, we demonstrated that simulations accurately obtained hydraulic performance (flow rate, pressure difference) and efficiency, with an error margin below 5%.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The multiobjective comprehensive evaluation and optimization methods proposed in this study can effectively enhance the overall performance of interventional blood pumps.</p>","PeriodicalId":54322,"journal":{"name":"Cardiovascular Engineering and Technology","volume":" ","pages":"11-24"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145507198","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comment on \"Advancing Myocardial Infarction Treatment: Harnessing Multi-Layered Recellularized Cardiac Patches with Fetal Myocardial Scaffolds and Acellular Amniotic Membrane\".","authors":"Burak Bozkurt","doi":"10.1007/s13239-025-00805-x","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s13239-025-00805-x","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":54322,"journal":{"name":"Cardiovascular Engineering and Technology","volume":" ","pages":"716-717"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145001910","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Credibility Assessment of the Patient-Specific Modeling of the Aneurysmal Ascending Thoracic Aorta: Verification, Validation and Uncertainty Quantification.","authors":"Roberta Scuoppo, Chiara Catalano, Fabrizio Crascì, Salvatore Pasta","doi":"10.1007/s13239-025-00801-1","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s13239-025-00801-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Computational modeling holds promise in predicting patient-specific outcomes and guiding clinical decision-making. The patient-specific model forming the basis of a digital twin can be considered biomedical software, thereby necessitating trust in its predictive accuracy.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study applies the ASME V&V40 framework to demonstrate the credibility of patient-specific models of aneurysmal thoracic ascending aorta (ATAA) biomechanics. A comprehensive verification, validation, and uncertainty quantification process was performed to evaluate the accuracy of the patient-specific ATAA model.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>After implementing the ASME V&V40 standard, the verification errors on the model inputs (i.e., material parameters and hemodynamic variables) resulted in relative errors (RE) < 1%. Validation and its uncertainty quantification of the output aneurysm diameter response showed area metric errors below 5% in the majority of cases, highlighting the accuracy of the patient-specific ATAA model against the clinical comparator. Uncertainties in wall stress predictions due to model inputs were also quantified by probability density functions. Sensitivity analysis revealed that the unknown value of aneurysm wall thickness drives the model output at the highest extent.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>These findings contribute to a standardized methodology for evaluating the credibility of patient-specific models, enhancing their utility in computer-based clinical decision support systems for managing patients with ATAAs.</p>","PeriodicalId":54322,"journal":{"name":"Cardiovascular Engineering and Technology","volume":" ","pages":"663-677"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12686058/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144978763","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}