Computer representation of coronary arterial trees.

Abstract An algorithm for determining the three-dimensional geometric configuration of coronary arterial trees from biplane coronary arteriograms has been developed. Assuming the coronary arteries to be line segments, the algorithm combines two orthogonal representations of the tree into a single unambiguous three-dimensional representation. The procedure is interactive and requires the operator to describe the two-dimensional structure from each of two orthogonal film planes. The resulting three-dimensional structure is used to evaluate epicardial contraction patterns and as a descriptor for inclusion in the Duke Cardiovascular Data Bank.