Maps for visualization and analysis of perfusion

A novel method for summarizing and displaying time-series data from magnetic resonance imaging of myocardial perfusion is presented. The method generates a synthetic image or “space-time map” that shows signal intensity as a function of time and position within the heart. The extents of abnormal regions as well as relative and absolute perfusion delays can be measured directly from the space-time maps. Space-time maps were generated from T1-weighted time-series images of myocardial perfusion in 17 Yorkshire pigs with chronic myocardial ischemia. Extents of ischemic and infarct regions as determined from space-time maps by two independent observers correlated well (r=0.93 and 0.97 respectively). The space-time mapping concept can be applied to time-series image data from other sources