Quantitative assessment of myocardial perfusion using time-density curve analysis after elective percutaneous coronary intervention.

ABSTRACT

UNLABELLED The aim of this study was to assess myocardial blush (MB) using a novel software algorithm that quantifies time-density curves (TDC) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: Thirty-two patients referred for elective PCI were enrolled. TDC curves were generated and mean maximal myocardial contrast density (Dmax) was calculated from 5 regions of interest in the PCI territory. Dmax was normalized to contrast injected in the proximal coronary artery (DI). RESULTS: Mean DI significantly increased after PCI in all subjects. Dmax correlated directly with subjective grading of Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) myocardial blush (R=0.47; P<.01). In 7 subjects referred for PCI of a chronic total occlusion (CTO), mean DI remained increased after PCI. Mean DI was lower in CTO versus non-CTO subjects; however, fold-improvement was higher after PCI of CTO lesions. CONCLUSION: Quantifying MB using TDC analysis is feasible and correlates with subjective MB grading. The clinical utility of MB quantitation after PCI requires further study.