Measuring pressure during coronary artery angiography in ex-vivo hearts

This study was designed to investigate the introduction of pressure measurement to PMCTA in order to understand the importance of re-pressurising vessels in the evaluation of CAD. Ex-vivo porcine hearts were used to develop the technique. Methods to introduce catheters and wires were investigated and a system was developed to suspend the heart, to enable pressure tests and CT scans. Consistent measurable pressures were achieved with good correlation of measured arterial pressure to delivered pressure in most cases. Pressure measurements were shown to be inaccurate in decomposed hearts, poor dissection and cannulation damaging the vessel, contamination of the vessels (e.g. by air) and malposition of the pressure measurement wire.
Source: Journal of Forensic Radiology and Imaging - Category: Radiology Source Type: research