Real-Time Blood Flow Imaging

Vascular visualization is generally made by injection of contrast medium in the vascular system and performing an angiography. This technique is very useful in clinical practice, bus has drawbacks, and is even dangerous, for some applications (carotid angiography, coronary arteriography …). The goal of many researchers is to detect cardiovascular disease very early and to evaluate the clinical or surgical treatment, without any risk for the patient. It is therefore necessary to develop accurate, non-invasive methods for examination of the cardiovascular system, especially those areas accessible for surgery. Developments of such techniques may reduce the number of useless arteriographies and permit better definition of the indications for arteriography in patients whose clinical signs are not sufficient to directly justify this type of investigation.