A novel dedicated 3-dimensional quantitative coronary analysis methodology for bifurcation lesions

Background

We developed a novel and dedicated three-dimensional (3-D) quantitative coronary analysis (QCA) software (Cardiovascular Angio-graphy Analysis System, Pie Medical Imaging, Maastricht, The Netherlands) to overcome potential limitations associated with two-dimensional (2-D) quantitative coronary analysis of bifurcation lesions (vessel overlap, foreshortening).

By combining two 2-D image data sets, the new CAAS 5, QCA 3-D bifurcation software is able to perform a 3-D reconstruction of the bifurcation and determine lesion characteristics including bifurcation angle. This is achieved in the following steps: i) Contour detection on two angiographic projections of the involved vessel segments including the bifurcation segment identification of a ...