Dual-contrast photon-counting micro-CT using iodine and a novel bismuth-based contrast agent.

To characterize for the first timea novel bismuth-based nanoparticular contrast agent developed for preclinical applications. Then, to design and testa multi-contrast protocol for functional cardiac imaging using the new bismuth nanoparticles and a well-established iodine-based contrast agent.A micro-computed tomography scanner was assembled and equipped with a photon-counting detector.