Quantification of myocardial microcirculatory function with X-ray CT.

A mathematical model of the intramyocardial coronary microcirculation is used to explore the validity of a fast CT imaging method for characterizing the myocardial microcirculatory functional status. The fast CT method depends on the demonstrated CT-based estimation of myocardial perfusion (F) and the intramyocardial blood volume (B(v)). The observed curvilinear myocardial blood volume-to-flow relationship, empirically fitted to B(v) = a.

Cryostatic micro-computed tomography imaging of arterial wall perfusion.

A double-walled copper vessel, 32 cc in volume, was fabricated for scanning tissue specimens while maintained below freezing point. To keep specimen temperature within +/- 1 degrees C, temperature sensors within the chamber control, the rate of inflow of the cold nitrogen gas vented through the chamber. The specimen is attached to a small platform on top of a vertical pin which is attached to the computer-controlled rotating stage under the vessel.