Research interest
Work in my group has focussed on the development of a tissue characterisation technique called Virtual Histology. This algorithm is based upon spectral analysis of ultrasound backscatter, with different plaque components exhibiting a defined spectrum. The primary application of the technology is in the classification of arterial plaques. The radiofrequency ultrasound signal is mathematically transformed into a color-coded representation, including lipid, fibrous tissue, calcification, and necrotic core; IVUS pullback allows reconstitution in 3 dimensions. VH-IVUS spectral analysis correlates well with histopathology and a number of independent large scale studies have demonstrated that VH-IVUS can also identify VH-TCFA and other plaque subtypes, and follow plaque progression/regression after treatment.
In other words ...
When the blood vessels that supply blood to your heart become diseased, cardiologists can use ultrasound imaging cameras to look at the amount of the obstruction (plaques) and determine a treatment strategy. However, some blockages are more dangerous than others, and the type of blockage significantly influences the physician's decision about how (or even if) to treat it. Current imaging cameras are limited in their ability to distinguish the various types of plaques from one another, so my group is investigating methods to extract additional information from the images to more accurately identify what type of tissue the blockage is made from. If cardiologists have this specific information available, it will enable them to decide the best way to treat their patients.
Highlighted Publications
Serruys PW, García-García HM, Buszman P, Erne P, Verheye S, Aschermann M, Duckers H, Bleie O, Dudek D, Bøtker HE, von Birgelen C, D'Amico D, Hutchinson T, Zambanini A, Mastik F, van Es GA, van der Steen AF, Vince DG, Ganz P, Hamm CW, Wijns W, Zalewski A; Integrated Biomarker and Imaging Study-2 Investigators. Effects of the direct lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A(2) inhibitor darapladib on human coronary atherosclerotic plaque, Circulation, 118(11); 1172-82. 2008
Chandrana C, Kharin N, Vince DG, Roy S; Fleischman A; Demonstration of Second Harmonic IVUS feasibility with Focused Broadband Miniature Transducers. IEEE UFFC, 2010.
García-García HM, Mintz GS, Lerman A, Vince DG, Margolis MP, van Es GA, Morel MA, Nair A, Virmani R, Burke AP, Stone GW, Serruys PW. Tissue characterisation using intravascular radiofrequency data analysis: recommendations for acquisition, analysis, interpretation and reporting. EuroIntervention, 2009 Jun;5(2):177-89.
