Quantification of aortic elasticity: development and experimental validation of a method using computed tomography

Aortic distensibility depending on aortic cross-sectional area changes is an important parameter for the grading of vascular diseases. This study measured aortic area changes by multidetector computed tomography. An image reconstruction algorithm was developed to assess aorta diameter and area as a function of the cardiac cycle with sufficient time resolution along the entire length of the aorta by four-detector row computed tomography. The algorithm was tested on porcine aortic specimens and compared with an optical reference method. The error of the relative vessel area change comparing the two methods was found to be about 3%. Initial tests on patient datasets indicate that clinical application is feasible. The proposed method has the advantage that it can easily be integrated into a modified routine CT angiography study and allows the measurement of aortic cross-sectional area changes.