Deep learning enables automated volumetric assessments of cardiac function in zebrafish

Abstract

Although the zebrafish embryo is a powerful animal model of human heart failure, the methods routinely employed to monitor cardiac function produce rough approximations that are susceptible to bias and inaccuracies. We developed and validated CFIN (cardiac functional imaging network), a deep learning-based image analysis platform for automated extraction of volumetric parameters of cardiac function from dynamic light sheet fluorescence microscopy images of embryonic zebrafish hearts. CFIN automatically delivers rapid and accurate assessments of cardiac performance with greater sensitivity than current approaches.