Brief history of Ecograf

EcoGraf, encompassing versions 2.0 and 3.0, served as a pioneering workstation dedicated to the Digital Processing of Echocardiography Images. Notably impactful in the 90s, its scientific relevance becomes evident when considering parallel works such as [DePa93], [Brui93], [Khoo93], and [Szab91]. This innovative technology facilitated the study of Diastolic or Left Ventricle (LV) filling function, offering a non-invasive diagnostic aid. It played a crucial role in diagnosing Heart Transplant rejection through simple and non-invasive methods.

EcoGraf excelled in measuring Systolic Function and LV emptying, with a particular focus on Ejection Fraction—a decisive parameter influencing the assessment of transplant necessity. Six distinct methods were employed to derive Tele Diastolic and Tele Systolic volumes, enhancing the precision of evaluations. Non-invasive, reliable, quick, and repeatable calculations of Pulmonary Artery Hypertension and Aorta Artery Pressure Gradient were integral features of this advanced technology.

Widely adopted, EcoGraf found its place in all hospitals equipped with Echocardiography services in Cuba. Its applications extended to diverse studies, including transplantation and rejection, ischemic pathologies, and the analysis of functional changes in the LV among high-performance athletes and elderly individuals.

Simultaneously, the development of Radio-Tk, alongside the incorporation of EcoGraf and other medical image processing equipment, marked the inception of the first components of an Image Storage and Transmission System—PACS. This groundbreaking integration stands as one of the most significant applications of Image Processing in the realm of digital images applied to medicine today.

References

[DePa93] De Paep,G.; Bijnens,B.; Herregods,M-C.; Suetens,P. y Van de Werf,F. “An Open Enviroment for Quantification of Left Ventricular Function Using UltraSound Images” Comp. in Cardiology, London, UK, September 5-8, 1993, pp 647-650

[Brui93] Bruining,N.; Krams,R.; Passchier,H.; Meij,S.; de Feijter,P.; y Keane,D. “A Modular Hard and Software System for the Analysis of Cardiac Signals: Application to Real-Time Pressure-Volume Loops” Comp. in Cardiology, London, UK, September 5-8, 1993, pp 161-164

[Khoo93] Khoor,S.; Szaboki,F.; Nieberl,J.; Khoor,M.; Kekes,E. “A New Method of Echocardiographic Edge Detection Using Velocity Maps” Comp. in Cardiology, London, UK, September 5-8, 1993, pp 623-625

[Szab91] Szabóki,F.; Nieberl,J.; Khoor,S. y Märcz,I. “Real Time Automatic Doppler Echocardiographic Evaluation of Left Ventricular Function”. Comp. in Cardiology, September 23-26, 1991, Venice, Italy pp 277-280

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EcoGraf, versions 2.0 and 3.0 was a workstation for the Digital Processing of Echocardiography Images of the type of diagnostic aid with scientific relevance appreciable in the 90s when reviewing works parallel to it: [DePa93], [Brui93], [Khor93] , [Szab91]. It made it possible to study the Diastolic or LV filling function and diagnose rejection of the Heart Transplant by non-invasive methods; simply and non-invasively measure the Systolic Function or LV emptying, and in particular its Ejection Fraction, a decisive parameter in the assessment of the need to perform a transplant. Tele Diastolic and Tele Systolic volumes were obtained by 6 different methods, which allowed the cases to be evaluated with greater precision. Hypertension in the Pulmonary Artery and Pressure Gradient in the Aorta Artery were calculated in a non-invasive, reliable, quick and easy to repeat manner. The equipment was installed in all hospitals with Echocardiography service in Cuba. It was used in studies on transplantation and its rejection, ischemic pathologies, analysis of functional changes of the LV in high-performance athletes and elderly people, etc. Jointly, Radio-Tk was developed and EcoGraf and other medical image processing equipment were incorporated, to form the first links of an Image Storage and Transmission System -PACS-, one of the most important applications of Image Processing. Digital Images applied to Medicine today.

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