A method for the noninvasive evaluation of cardiovascular dynamics using a digital radiographic device

The authors describe a technique for visualizing and quantitating blood flow and cardiac dynamics following the intravenous administration of contrast material (less than 1 ml/kg). This method uses a digital radiographic device while motion by the patient or test subject is stopped. Preliminary flow studies of the carotid arteries and heart of a dog are presented. This technique has the potential to quantitate physiological parameters such as relative blood flow through pairs of arteries, cardiac output, regional ejection fraction, and heart-wall movement and thickening.