Image Processing: What Is Needed and Unique for Vessel Wall Imaging?

Image processing plays a key role in vessel wall imaging. Vessel wall analysis typically requires multiple contrast-weighted imaging, image registration, and both qualitative and quantitative measurements to assess vessel wall status for disease. Image processing plays a key role in all these areas, and currently available software systems are capable of quantitative measurements of vessel area, thickness, eccentricity, and composition to assess vessel and disease status. New improvements in techniques and artificial intelligence offer new possibilities which can dramatically improve vessel wall analysis.