The minimum error in estimating coronary luminal cross-sectional area from cineangiographic diameter measurements

Abstract

A formal analysis of the error associated with the use of radiographic diameter measurements in estimating the luminal area of an elliptically-shaped coronary cross-section was performed. When 2 views are available, the maximum potential error decreased rapidly as the angle between the views increased to 90.degree., but this error was small (< 25%) for orthogonal views only for mild degrees of ellipticity (major/minor axis ratio < 2). Since, for each successive doubling of the number of radiographic views, a stepwide reduction in the potential error by an approximate factor of only 1/2 was found, a large number of views is reqired to eliminate the potential error associated with diameter assessment of highly elliptical lumina.