Development of a theory for generating regional cardiac perfusion images during coronary angiography in the coronary angiography lab

The purpose of this study was to develop a novel theory and method for generating regional myocardial perfusion images using fluoroscopy in the coronary angiography lab. We modified the Kety model to introduce the Patlak plot method for two-dimensional fluoroperfusion (FP) imaging. For evaluation, seven porcine models of myocardial ischemia with stenosis in the left coronary artery were prepared. Rest and stress FP imaging were performed using cardiovascular X-ray imaging equipment during the injection of iopamidol via the left main coronary artery. Images were acquired and retrospectively ECG gated at 80 % of the R–R interval. FP myocardial blood flow (MBF) was obtained using the Patlak plot method applied to time-intensity curve data of the proximal artery and myocardium. The results were compared to microsphere MBF measurements. Time-intensity curves were also used to generate color-coded FP maps. There was a moderate linear correlation between the calculated FP MBF and the microsphere MBF (y = 0.9758x + 0.5368, R2 = 0.61). The color-coded FP maps were moderately correlated with the regional distribution of flow. This novel method of first-pass contrast-enhanced two-dimensional fluoroscopic imaging can quantify MBF and provide color coded FP maps representing regional myocardial perfusion.