Three-Dimensional Quantification of Cardiac Surface Motion

A Newly Developed 3-Dimensional Digital Motion-Capture and Reconstruction System for Beating Heart Surgery

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed to characterize quantitatively the three regional cardiac surface motions before and after stabilization using a stabilizer (Octopus 4.3, Medtronics Inc.) by our newly developed “3-dimensional digital motion-capture and reconstruction system” in an animal experiment setting. METHODS: Ten pigs underwent full sternotomy. Three tiny metallic markers (diameter 2 mm) coated with a reflective material were attached on three regional cardiac surfaces (LAD, RCA and LCX). These makers were captured by two high-speed digital video cameras (955 frames/s) as 2-dimensional data, and reconstructed to 3-dimensional data points. RESULTS: Virtual 3-dimensional images of the beating heart surface were successfully reconstructed and details of the three regional cardiac surfaces were obtained. CONCLUSIONS: This system is useful for a precise 3-D quantification of the heart surface movement, and development of a better stabilizer for beating heart surgery.