X-ray computed tomographic (CT) phantom designed for the development of techniques for measurement of myocardial perfusion

The authors report on the design and construction of a phantom that enables quantitation of myocardial perfusion. Flow indices were derived with dynamic X-ray projection (2D) and dynamic CT (3D) imaging techniques. The indices were calibrated to volume measured flows from the cylinder-shaped phantom. Water was pumped through a medium of equal radiodensity to tissue, simulating blood flow through capillaries in the heart muscle. This design allows the study of space and time distribution that an indicator makes in a phantom, shaped to mimic the left ventricle muscle. Detailed flow behaviour was modeled and calibrated to independent absolute measures of flow. The phantom may verify imaging set ups and provide mean transit time accuracy of indicator dilution before in vivo applications.