Myocardial CT perfusion image synthesis

Abstract

The present invention relates to image processing devices and related methods. The image processing device (10) comprises a data input (11) for receiving spectral computed tomography volumetric imagedata organized in voxels. The image data comprises a contrast-enhanced volumetric image of a cardiac region in a subject's body and a baseline volumetric image of that cardiac region, e.g. a virtual non-contrast image, wherein the contrast-enhanced volumetric image conveys anatomical information regarding coronary artery anatomy of the subject. The device comprises a flow simulator (12) for generating, or receiving as input, a three-dimensional coronary tree model based on the volumetric image data and for simulating a coronary flow based on the three-dimensional coronary tree model. The device comprises a perfusion synthesis unit (13) for generating a perfusion image representative of a blood distribution in tissue at at least one instant in time taking at least the baseline volumetric image and said coronary flow simulation into account.

Description

technical field [0001] The invention relates to the field of digital image processing. More specifically, the present invention relates to myocardial computed tomography (CT) perfusion image synthesis based on spectral CT data (eg, coronary CT angiography data). Background technique [0002] Coronary artery disease (CAD) is an important cause of death worldwide. In CAD, the buildup of plaque material in the coronary arteries limits the oxygen supply to the heart muscle, causing myocardial ischemia. [0003] Non-invasive imaging techniques known in the art for assessing cardiac muscle viability include myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) (in which nuclear imaging modalities such as SPECT and PET are used) and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR). However, a disadvantage of such prior art solutions may be that these imaging techniques may be less suitable for achieving a combined detailed anatomical evaluation of the coronary arteries and a functional evaluation of the do...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

A disadvantage of performing at least one additional CT perfusion scan when cardiac muscle viability can be visualized and directly assessed by such a protocol is that this implies, for example, patient sensitivity to ionization in addition to the amount of radiation exposure and contrast agent used to perform the CCTA scan. Additional exposure to radiation and toxic contrast media

Furthermore, a time delay between the CCTA scan and the CT perfusion scan would be required to sufficiently reduce the residual contrast agent for the CCTA scan in the body, which would limit implementation in clinical practice

Another disadvantage may be that quantitative maps derived from physically acquired data may be limited due to, for example, physical limitations of data acquisition and / or in view of limited radiation dose management compared to the complexity of the perfusion model used to generate the quantitative maps. number of time points is noisy and unreliable

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