Abstract
This dissertation describes an innovative ultrafast contrast-enhanced ultrasound technique in combination with particle image velocimetry analysis, referred to as echoPIV, to better visualize and quantify local blood flow patterns. Local blood flow plays an important role in the onset and progression of vascular diseases such as peripheral arterial disease (narrowing of a blood vessel) and aneurysms (dilation of a blood vessel). This relationship highlights the urgent need to accurately image and measure local blood flow patterns. EchoPIV is characterized by an angle-independent measurement and a high image- and time-resolution. This means that echoPIV recordings are less user dependent and with great detail, important advantages over current ultrasound techniques based on Doppler. In this thesis, the feasibility of echoPIV is investigated in, among others, the femoral artery of healthy subjects, the aorto-iliac and femoral arteries of patients with peripheral arterial disease and the abdominal aorta of patients with an aneurysm before and after endovascular treatment. In many cases, echoPIV was successful in accurately determining blood flow patterns. This way, echoPIV proved to be a robust technique that provides detailed insights into complex blood flow patterns both before and after treatment. However, several limitations have also been identified, such as echo shadows behind calcified plaques and microbubble contrast destruction during diastole. Several flow-derived parameters were calculated from the blood flow patterns, which were compared between healthy subjects and patients. The relation between these parameters and clinical outcomes is an important focus for future research. Insights into patient-specific hemodynamic parameters can be an important addition to the more generic anatomical characteristics that currently often determine treatment plans. When clinically implemented, echoPIV, or similar techniques, can be of great added value to personalized monitoring, treatment and follow-up of vascular patients.
Original language | English |
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Qualification | Doctor of Philosophy |
Awarding Institution |
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Award date | 8 Nov 2024 |
Place of Publication | Enschede |
Publisher | |
Print ISBNs | 978-90-365-6272-0 |
Electronic ISBNs | 978-90-365-6273-7 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Nov 2024 |