Estimation of x-ray parameters in digital coronary angiography for compensation of myocardial perfusion measurements

Coronary angiography is the primary technique for diagnosing coronary abnormalities as it is able to locate precisely the coronary artery lesions. However, the clinical relevance of an appearing stenosis is not that easy to assess. In previous work we have analyzed the myocardial perfusion by comparing basal and hyperemic coronary flow. This comparison is the basis of a Relative Coronary Flow Reserve (RCFR) measure. In a Region-of-Interest (ROI) on the angiogram the contrast is measured as a function of time (the so-called time-density curve). The required hyperemic state of exercise is induced artificially by the injection of a vasodilator drug e.g. papaverine. In previous work we have presented the results of a small study of 20 patients. In this paper we present an analysis of the sensitivity of the method for variations in Xray exposure between the two runs due to the Automatic Exposure Control (AEC) unit. The AEC is a system unit with the task to ensure a constant dose rate at the entrance of the detector by making the appropriate adaptations in X-ray factor settings for patients which range from slim to more obese. We have setup a phantom study to reveal the expected exposure variations. We present several of the developed phantoms together with a compensation strategy.