First human transvenous coronary angiography at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility

The first operation of the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) m edical beamline is reported in this paper. The goal of the angiography proj ect is to develop a reduced risk imaging technique, which can be used to fo llow up patients after coronary intervention. After the intravenous injecti on of a contrast agent (iodine) two images are produced with monochromatic beams, bracketing the iodine K-edge. The logarithmic subtraction of the two measurements results in an iodine-enhanced image, which can be precisely q uantified. A research protocol has been designed to evaluate the performanc es of this method in comparison with the conventional technique. Patients i ncluded in the protocol have previously undergone angioplasty. If are-steno sis is suspected, the patient is imaged both at the ESRF and at the hospita l with the conventional technique, within the next few days. This paper rep orts the results obtained with the first patients. To date, eight patients have been imaged and excellent image quality was obtained.