Three-dimensional coronary reconstruction from routine single-plane coronary angiograms: in vivo quantitative validation.
BACKGROUND
Current X-ray technology displays the complex 3-dimensional (3-D) geometry of the coronary arterial tree as 2-dimensional (2-D) images. To overcome this limitation, an algorithm was developed for the reconstruction of the 3-D pathway of the coronary arterial tree using routine single-plane 2-D angiographic imaging. This method provides information in real-time and is suitable for routine use in the cardiovascular catheterization laboratory.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the precision of this algorithm and to compare it with 2-D quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) system.


METHODS
Thirty-eight angiographic images were acquired from 11 randomly selected patients with coronary artery disease undergoing diagnostic cardiac catheterization. The 2-D images were analyzed using QCA software. For the 3-D reconstruction, an algorithm integrating information from at least two single-plane angiographic images taken from different angles was formulated.


RESULTS
3-D acquisition was feasible in all patients and in all selected angiographic frames. Comparison between pairs of values yielded greater precision of the 3-D than the 2-D measurements of the minimal lesion diameter (P<0.005), minimal lesion area (P<0.05) and lesion length (P<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
The study validates the 3-D reconstruction algorithm, which may provide new insights into vessel morphology in 3-D space. This method is a promising clinical tool, making it possible for cardiologists to appreciate the complex curvilinear structure of the coronary arterial tree and to quantify atherosclerotic lesions more precisely.
Dvir
Danny
D
Division of Interventional Cardiology, Rabin Medical Center, Petach Tikva, Israel.
Marom
Hadar
H
Guetta
Victor
V
Kornowski
Ran
R
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000465:Algorithms; D001185:Artificial Intelligence; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D023921:Coronary Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013223:Statistics as Topic