Automatic scoring of segmental wall motion in echocardiography using quantified parametric images

A new automatic regional wall motion scoring approach based on parametric imaging was provided. Black and white (B/W) echocardiography sequences were summarized into amplitude and time parametric images using the parametric analysis of main motion (PAMM) with new constraints on the transition times between muscle and cavity. Then segmental wall motion amplitude and time indexes were computed. A total of 518 segments (37 patients) were analyzed: an absolute agreement of 66% and a relative agreement of 94% were obtained between the visual assessment of B/W cine loops and the automatic scoring. Moreover, the new constraints allowed the estimation of a more relevant mean contraction time which contributes in a better characterization of wall motion abnormalities. This new automatic scoring could provide promising results in the analysis of stress studies.