Salvador de Haro

The performance of deep-learning-based segmentation models is strongly dependent on the quality of the input data, which is frequently heterogeneous or degraded in real-world medical imaging scenarios. This work presents a data-centric algorithmic pipeline designed to improve cardiac MRI segmentation accuracy through systematic image enhancement and automatic slice-quality filtering. The proposed method is formalized as deterministic algorithm that combines image processing and supervised learning components. The approach integrates a contrast- and structure-preserving enhancement stage, based on bilateral filtering and adaptive histogram equalization, with a quality-aware selection algorithm. Slice quality is assessed using anatomical attributes extracted via YOLOv11s-based localization and a supervised classification model trained to identify diagnostically reliable images. When applied to transformer-based segmentation architectures such as ViTUNeT, the pipeline yields consistent improvements across all evaluation metrics without increasing model complexity or training cost. These findings emphasize the importance of algorithmic data curation as an effective strategy for enhancing robustness and stability in deep-learning segmentation pipelines and demonstrate the broader applicability of the proposed approach to computer-vision tasks involving heterogeneous or low-quality image datasets.

Left ventricular non-compaction is a cardiac condition marked by excessive trabeculae in the left ventricle’s inner wall. Although various methods exist to measure these structures, the medical community still lacks consensus on the best approach. Previously, we developed DL-LVTQ, a tool based on a UNet neural network, to quantify trabeculae in this region. In this study, we expand the dataset to include new patients with Titin cardiomyopathy and healthy individuals with fewer trabeculae, requiring retraining of our models to enhance predictions. We also propose ViTUNeT, a neural network architecture combining U-Net and Vision Transformers to segment the left ventricle more accurately. Additionally, we train a YOLOv8 model to detect the ventricle and integrate it with ViTUNeT model to focus on the region of interest. Results from ViTUNet and YOLOv8 are similar to DL-LVTQ, suggesting dataset quality limits further accuracy improvements. To test this, we analyze MRI images and develop a method using two YOLOv8 models to identify and remove problematic images, leading to better results. Combining YOLOv8 with deep learning networks offers a promising approach for improving cardiac image analysis and segmentation.

Left Ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) is a recently classified form of cardiomyopathy. Although various methods have been proposed for accurately quantifying trabeculae in the left ventricle (LV), consensus on the optimal approach remains elusive. Previous research introduced DL‐LVTQ, a deep learning solution for trabecular quantification based on a UNet 2D convolutional neural network (CNN) architecture and a graphical user interface (GUI) to streamline its use in clinical workflows. Building on this foundation, this work presents LVNC detector, an enhanced application designed to support cardiologists in the automated diagnosis of LVNC. The application integrates two segmentation models: DL‐LVTQ and ViTUNet, the latter inspired by modern hybrid architectures combining convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and transformer‐based designs. These models, implemented within an ensemble framework, leverage advancements in deep learning to improve the accuracy and robustness of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) segmentation. Key innovations include multithreading to optimize model loading times and ensemble methods to enhance segmentation consistency across MRI slices. Additionally, the platform‐independent design ensures compatibility with Windows and Linux, eliminating complex setup requirements. The LVNC detector delivers an efficient and user‐friendly solution for LVNC diagnosis. It enables real‐time performance and allows cardiologists to select and compare segmentation models for improved diagnostic outcomes. This work demonstrates how state‐of‐the‐art machine learning techniques can seamlessly integrate into clinical practice to reduce human error and expedite diagnostic processes.