Vascular Deformation Mapping (VDM) for Automated, 3D Assessment of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm

PROJECT SUMMARY Thoracic aortic aneurysmTAAis a chronic condition that carries the risk of developing life threatening complications such as aortic dissectioni edelamination of the aortic walland rupturei etransmural tearingThe primary management objectives for TAA are to identify aortic dilation early and to surgically replace the aorta before it reaches a size that predicts future complicationsIt is estimated thatmillion patients in the US alone would meet criteria for aortic imaging surveillance based on current guidelinesImproved imaging surveillance strategies are needed to address the health and economic impacts of TAAHoweverthe reliability of standard aortic diameter measurements from CT images remains lowIn this proposalwe will utilize a recently developed image analysis techniqueVascular Deformation MappingVDMto perform semi automatedthree dimensional assessment of aortic growth in patients with TAA undergoing imaging surveillanceThis novel approach utilizes advanced computerized analysis techniques that make full use of the richhigh resolutionvolumetric data generated by modern CT scannersto generate a more comprehensive and reliable assessment of aortic growthVDM has the ability to significantly improve the speed and reliability of TAA growth analysisfacilitate the communication of aortic growth assessment between radiologistscare providers and patientsand generate new biomarkers of disease progression that can be used to improve patient management decisionsand ultimately patient outcomesIn this grant effortwe propose to achieve the goals of this project through our close partnership between University of MichiganUMand ImbioLLC investigatorsThus the Specific Aims of this Fast Track proposal will develop a commercial VDM software applicationincluding the product testing and data acquisition necessary for a FDAkapplication NARRATIVEThoracic aortic aneurysmTAAis a chronic condition that carries the risk of developing lifethreatening complicationsIt is estimated thatmillion patients in the US alone would meet criteria for aortic imaging surveillance based on current guidelinesStandard methods of monitoring aortic growth are unreliableVascular Deformation MappingVDMis a new technology that can reliably track and display aortic growth inDThis project will implement VDM as clinical grade software and validate the technique in a large cohort of patients in preparation of an application for FDA approval!