On preserving anatomical detail in statistical shape analysis for clustering: focus on left atrial appendage morphology

Bibliographic Details
Title: On preserving anatomical detail in statistical shape analysis for clustering: focus on left atrial appendage morphology
Authors: Matthew T. Lee, Vincenzo Martorana, Rafizul Islam Md, Raphael Sivera, Andrew C. Cook, Leon Menezes, Gaetano Burriesci, Ryo Torii, Giorgia M. Bosi
Source: Frontiers in Network Physiology, Vol 4 (2024)
Publisher Information: Frontiers Media S.A., 2024.
Publication Year: 2024
Collection: LCC:Electronic computers. Computer science
Subject Terms: statistical shape analysis, hierarchical clustering, left atrial appendage (LAA), atrial fibrillation, principal component analysis -PCA, clustering performance evaluation, Electronic computers. Computer science, QA75.5-76.95
More Details: IntroductionStatistical shape analysis (SSA) with clustering is often used to objectively define and categorise anatomical shape variations. However, studies until now have often focused on simplified anatomical reconstructions, despite the complexity of studied anatomies. This work aims to provide insights on the anatomical detail preservation required for SSA of highly diverse and complex anatomies, with particular focus on the left atrial appendage (LAA). This anatomical region is clinically relevant as the location of almost all left atrial thrombi forming during atrial fibrillation (AF). Moreover, its highly patient-specific complex architecture makes its clinical classification especially subjective.MethodsPreliminary LAA meshes were automatically detected after robust image selection and wider left atrial segmentation. Following registration, four additional LAA mesh datasets were created as reductions of the preliminary dataset, with surface reconstruction based on reduced sample point densities. Utilising SSA model parameters determined to optimally represent the preliminary dataset, SSA model performance for the four simplified datasets was calculated. A representative simplified dataset was selected, and clustering analysis and performance were evaluated (compared to clinical labels) between the original trabeculated LAA anatomy and the representative simplification.ResultsAs expected, simplified anatomies have better SSA evaluation scores (compactness, specificity and generalisation), corresponding to simpler LAA shape representation. However, oversimplification of shapes may noticeably affect 3D model output due to differences in geometric correspondence. Furthermore, even minor simplification may affect LAA shape clustering, where the adjusted mutual information (AMI) score of the clustered trabeculated dataset was 0.67, in comparison to 0.12 for the simplified dataset.DiscussionThis study suggests that greater anatomical preservation for complex and diverse LAA morphologies, currently neglected, may be more useful for shape categorisation via clustering analyses.
Document Type: article
File Description: electronic resource
Language: English
ISSN: 2674-0109
Relation: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnetp.2024.1467180/full; https://doaj.org/toc/2674-0109
DOI: 10.3389/fnetp.2024.1467180
Access URL: https://doaj.org/article/10ed54052ee84db7a3425207deb7d4ea
Accession Number: edsdoj.10ed54052ee84db7a3425207deb7d4ea
Database: Directory of Open Access Journals
More Details
ISSN:26740109
DOI:10.3389/fnetp.2024.1467180
Published in:Frontiers in Network Physiology
Language:English