Tracking-based Segmentation and Volume Rendering for Assessing Stenosis of Coronary Arteries in MS-CTA Images

Multi-slice spiral computed tomography angiography (MS-CTA) is emerging as a clinically robust modality for diagnosis and surgical planning for coronary heart disease. To enable these tasks the coronary arteries must be segmented and visualised. This paper proposes the use of an improved tracking-based algorithm for segmenting the coronary artery network. The segmentation results are coupled with direct volume rendering allowing for the 3-D visualisation of the degree of stenosis. We represent vessels using a generalised-cylinder model, which facilitates fast segmentation and the visualisation of vessel cross-sectional area. A number of synthetic and in vivo datasets are used to validate and demonstrate the approach