Quantification of myocardial blood flow using the Michigan Method

References:
Hutchins et al. (1992) JNM 33: 1243
Muzik et al. (1993) JNM 34: 83
Muzik et al. (1993) JNM 34: 336

The software is written in IDL and calls C and FORTRAN routines which are included as shared object libraries (*.so)
bldstd for Solaris
bldstd for IRIX

Installation instructions:
After download, create a new directory and untar there the tar-file there using the command tar -cvf. Then
start IDL and type bldstd. The program starts up.

How to use the program:
For theory, please refer to the above references.
The first screen lets you select the image file (format ECAT6 or ECAT7).

As can be seen in the above image, one can select the frame to process (usually the last one for ammonia due
to the high retention); then the parameters for sampling (threshold 85, inside # of pixels 5, outside # of pixels
2, see reference for details); starting values for the fit (K1 - k3, TBV) dependent if this is a rest or stress flow
study processed. Usually the default parameters are good.

PICK START/END plane for blood definition:
Click those planes (usually 2 most basal planes of the myocardium) with the mouse. The blood input function
will be determined from these 2 planes.

PICK START/END planes for midventricular analysis:
Select those planes you want to quantify. Pick the planes directly with the mouse.

PICK PLANE for Startangle definition:
Select one plane where you can see the inferior junction between left and right ventricle. This will be the starting point for sampling. In addition, this will be the sector displayed in the polar map at 264 degrees.
In the zoomed window, click the center of the myocardium and the inferior junction of the right/left ventricles.

DEFINE BLOOD REGION CENTER AND CIRCUMFERENCE:
In order to define the blood ROI, click in the center of the myocardium (just the 2 previous selected blood
planes will be shown) and then another click to define the circumference.

DEFINE CENTER AND CIRCUMFERENCE FOR SAMPLING CONSTRAINT:
Select in the previously defined midventricular planes the center of the myocardium and then a large circle
which encompasses the whole myocardium but exludes the liver. The program will search for the maximum along lines originating from the center and end at the circle constraint.

The program will sample the 2 blood planes and the blood time-activity curve will be displayed. Then each
of the midventricular planes will be sampled. The results are written into a *.crv file in the same directory as
the original image.

Comments or Problems:
otto@pet.wayne.edu