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Hybrid image visualization tool for 3D integration of CT coronary anatomy and quantitative myocardial perfusion PET.

Abstract

PURPOSE
Multimodal cardiac imaging by CTA and quantitative PET enables acquisition of patient-specific coronary anatomy and absolute myocardial perfusion at rest and during stress. In the clinical setting, integration of this information is performed visually or using coronary arteries distribution models. We developed a new tool for CTA and quantitative PET integrated 3D visualization, exploiting XML and DICOM clinical standards.
METHODS
The hybrid image tool (HIT) developed in the present study included four main modules: (1) volumetric registration for spatial matching of CTA and PET data sets, (2) an interface to PET quantitative analysis software, (3) a derived DICOM generator able to build DICOM data set from quantitative polar maps, and (4) a 3D visualization tool of integrated anatomical and quantitative flow information. The four modules incorporated in the HIT tool communicate by defined standard XML files: XML-transformation and XML MIST standards.
RESULTS
The HIT tool implements a 3D representation of CTA showing real coronary anatomy fused to PET-derived quantitative myocardial blood flow distribution. The technique was validated on 16 data sets from EVINCI study population. The validation of the method confirmed the high matching between "original" and derived data sets as well as the accuracy of the registration procedure.
CONCLUSIONS
Three-dimensional integration of patient- specific coronary artery anatomy provided by CTA and quantitative myocardial blood flow obtained from PET imaging can improve cardiac disease assessment. The HIT tool introduced in this paper may represent a significant advancement in the clinical use of this multimodal approach.

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  • Publisher Full Text

    • Authors

    Marinelli M, Positano V, Nekolla SG, Marcheschi P, Todiere G, Esposito N, Puzzuoli S, L'Abbate GA, Marraccini P, Neglia D

    Institution

    Institute of Clinical Physiology, CNR, Via Moruzzi n.1, 56124, Pisa, Italy. martina.marinelli@ifc.cnr.it

    Source

    International journal of computer assisted radiology and surgery 8:2 2013 Mar pg 221-32

    Pub Type(s)

    Journal Article
    Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

    Language

    eng

    PubMed ID

    22752392