Rapid computer-assisted diagnostics in intravenous coronary angiography

We developed the NIKOS-system as a minimal invasive technique to image stenosis in coronary arteries after injection of iodine containing contrast material into a brachial vein. This technique uses dichromography whereby with monochromatic X-rays one image for subtraction is taken at an energy below and the other one above the K-edge of iodine. Immediately after the investigation of the patient the subtracted image is displayed under assistance of a newly designed graphical user interface (GUI). The images are automatically preprocessed by correcting for technical influences. With the help of the GUI the physician can apply different image processing algorithms on, the subtraction image to enable an accurate diagnosis. Because the GUI has a simple handling and the implemented algorithms react very rapidly, the physicians accepted the use of the GUI.