Estimation of search-space in 3D coronary artery reconstruction using angiographic biplane images

The three-dimensional reconstruction of heart arteries, using two radiographic images, is an ambiguous problem and results in multiple solutions. The correct solution can only be identified using a priori information. This work proposes a method to determine the number of possible solutions, which may be useful for the development of algorithms to solve this ambiguity problem. Our method proceeds by generating and counting all the possible solutions. Using real data, it was found that the number of solutions is moderate and an extensive search could be a feasible option at certain levels of the search process. The currently available computation power should be able to handle this solution space. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.