A comparison of the accuracy and reproducibility of digital three-dimensional coronary artery reconstructions using edge detection or videodensitometry.

Global quantitative three-dimensional measurements of coronary arteries may be helpful in determining the functional significance of various forms of coronary pathology. A computerized system has been developed that is capable of performing 3-D reconstruction of digitized images obtained from multiple coronary angiographic views using either automated edge detection (AED) or videodensitometric (VD) techniques. To compare the accuracy and reproducibility of measurements obtained from this system using either technique, stationary and moving coronary aluminum 3-D phantoms, each with 13 branches (diameter 0.58-6.35 mm, length 21.5-64.5 mm), were imaged and reconstructed 10 separate times each. Individual branch lengths and diameters were calculated and compared to each other and to known values. Diameter measurements were compared using either AED or VD. Intraclass correlation coefficients between observed values (ICC) for vessel length were r = 0.89 for the stationary and r = 0.97 for the moving phantom. ICCs for vessel diameter were r = 0.93 (AED) and r = 0.95 (VD) for the stationary and r = 0.98 (AED) and r = 0.97 (VD) for the moving phantom. Mean differences (+/-SD) between true and observed values [MDTO(+/-SD)] for vessel length were -1.0 +/- 3.9 mm for the stationary and -3.5 +/- 3.2 mm for the moving phantom. MDTO(+/-SD) for vessel diameter were -0.10 +/- 0.52 mm (AED) and +0.03 +/- 0.30 mm (VD) for the stationary and -0.21 +/- 0. 44 mm (AED) and -0.12 +/- 0.33 (VD) for the moving phantom. We conclude that the quantitative accuracy and reproducibility of measurements obtained by computerized 3-D reconstruction of coronary model phantoms is of high enough quality to warrant further clinical evaluation. VD appears to be more accurate than AED for measuring vessel diameter. Copyright 1997 Academic Press.