| abstract |
The invention relates to an X-ray imaging device for visualizing the blood flow in a coronary vascular tree of a patient. According to the invention a first set ( 1 ) of X-ray projection images of the vascular tree is recorded during various phases of the heart cycle with simultaneous recording of the ECG ( 2 ) of the patient. By means of a suitable program control, computer means ( 17 ) of the device according to the invention a reconstruction then follows of the three-dimensional structure of the vascular tree during the various phases of the heart cycle. The invention proposes, to determine the time-dependent concentration of contrast agent within the reconstructed three-dimensional structure of the vascular tree, that local image areas within the X-ray projection images of the second set ( 6 ) assigned to individual vascular segments ( 5, 8 ) are located in accordance with the spatial positions of the vascular segments ( 5, 8 ) in the relevant phase of the heart cycle. The concentration of contrast agent in the area of the vascular segments ( 5, 8 ) is then determined by evaluation of the X-ray absorption within the local image areas found. |