Method for Estimating Flow Rates, Pressure Gradients, Coronary Flow Reserve, and Fractional Flow Reserve from Patient Specific Computed Tomography Angiogram-Based Contrast Distribution Data

摘要

An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides a method for non-invasively determining the functional severity of coronary artery stenosis. The method includes gathering patient-specific data related to concentration of a contrast agent within a coronary artery of a patient using a coronary computed tomography angiography scan (CCTA). The patient-specific data is used to calculate a patient-specific transluminal attenuation gradient for the coronary artery of the patient. The patient specific transluminal attenuation gradient is used to determine an estimate of a coronary flow velocity, pressure gradient, loss coefficient, coronary flow reserve, and/or fractional flow reserve for the patient. Coronary flow velocity, pressure gradient, loss coefficient, coronary flow reserve, and fractional flow reserve can then be used to estimate the functional severity of coronary artery stenosis.

主权项

1. A method for determining a functional significance of coronary artery stenosis comprising:
obtaining a patient specific transluminal attenuation gradient (TAG) for the coronary artery of the patient; determining a time variation of a contrast at a predetermined location in the coronary artery of the patient, called an arterial input function or input bolus profile; calculating the coronary flow velocity (CFV) and flow rate within the coronary artery from TAG and the arterial input function. calculating an estimate of the pressure gradient (PG) within the coronary artery using the coronary flow velocity, the arterial input function, information on the coronary luminal area, position and location within the artery; and using the PG to determine the functional significance of the coronary artery stenosis.