Analysis of left ventricular surface deformation during isovolumic contraction.

The rapid pressure built-up in the left ventricular (LV) cavity is mainly due to the contraction of the helically oriented myocardial fibers, and its associated wall deformation. In this paper, we recover and elucidate the left ventricular wall motion during isovolumic contraction using a shape-based tracking approach. In particular, the LV surface properties are derived by means of local surface fitting, and the point-correspondences between successive time frames are determined using a thin plate bending model. Results show that the LV motion during isovolumic contraction is largely contributed by the twisting action of the LV.