Automatic detection of local Arterial Input Functions through Independent Component Analysis on dynamic contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract

Arterial Input Function (AIF) is obtained from perfusion studies as a basic parameter for the calculus of hemodynamic variables used as surrogate markers of the vascular status of tissues. However, at present, its identification is made manually leading to high subjectivity, low repeatability and considerable time consumption. We propose an alternative method to automatically identify local AIF in perfusion images using Independent Component Analysis.