A simple quantitative analysis system for coronary cineangiograms using a personal computer

We have developed a simple quantitative analysis system for coronary cineangiograms using a personal computer and a standard projector-video camera system. The selected frame of cinefilm was projected onto the target area of a CCD video camera. To decrease spatial fluctuations due to quantum noise, the digital data were smoothed spatially by applying a moving averaged filter and a median filter. Following the smoothing process, the digital data with gray level were transformed to binary data by quantifying the threshold property of their gray level. To minimize the geometric influence, mainly pincushion effect, a cinefilm of a 1 cm grid was placed against the input screen of the image intensifier to correct the distortion by using 3rd degree polynomials. The accuracy of the contour detection procedure was validated on the basis of phantom models filled with a contrast medium. Despite the potential influence of many radiographic variables on computerized diameter measurements, the overall accuracy was found to be 0.26-0.33 mm over a wide range of clinically relevant artery diameters and radiographic conditions. Using this system we demonstrated one method of examining the effects of acetylcholine and nitroglycerin on coronary artery diameter in adult humans.