feature tracking
A post-processing technique for cardiac MRI that analyzes myocardial deformation by tracking tissue features frame-by-frame.
Full Definition
Feature tracking is an advanced cardiac MRI analysis technique that quantifies myocardial strain and deformation parameters without requiring specialized pulse sequences. The method works by automatically tracking identifiable tissue features or patterns in standard cine MRI images throughout the cardiac cycle to calculate strain values. This technique can measure global and regional longitudinal, circumferential, and radial strain, providing detailed assessment of myocardial function. Feature tracking offers advantages over traditional tagging techniques as it can be applied retrospectively to routine cine images and doesn't require additional scan time. It has shown promise in early detection of myocardial dysfunction and monitoring treatment response in various cardiomyopathies.
In Context
- "Feature tracking analysis revealed reduced global longitudinal strain despite normal ejection fraction." — Cardiac MRI report
- "The software performed automated feature tracking to calculate circumferential strain values." — Imaging protocol description