Myocardial color perfusion images from ultrafast computed tomography

This article presents a new method for visualization of myocardial perfusion information from ultrafast computed tomography (UFCT). Changes in myocardial density produced by intravenous contrast medium enhancement were color coded selectively and displayed in a cold to hot spectrum. Color coded images from anesthetized canines with temporarily occluded left anterior descending coronary arteries clearly showed ischemic myocardium. Other regional flow differences such as arrival times and regional heterogeneity of enhancement also were observed. An objective comparison of UFCT and microsphere data was made by the amount of ischemia and by the flow histograms of each method for control and occlusion states. The amount of ischemia detected by UFCT (5.6 +/- 2.3%) was less than that detected by microspheres (7.9 +/- 5.0%). Analysis of variance showed significant differences (P less than 0.05) caused by occluder status but not measurement method. The microsphere occlusion flow histogram was significantly different than the microsphere control and UFCT occlusion histograms at low flows. This preliminary evaluation shows promise for optimising visualization of flow patterns within the myocardium.