Development of a voxel model of the heart for dosimetry

Abstract

This article investigates the dosimetry of a radioactive stent and radioactive liquid balloon placed into the heart vasculature to prevent restenosis after atherosclerosis treatment. The research aims to know the dosages to establish a suitable activity which achieves restenosis control and thereafter minimize radiation effects in the cardiac muscle. In order to accomplish the dosimetric analysis, a heart voxel model was assembled based on tomographic images. The computational model consists of a three-dimensional matrix taken from 60 tomographic images representing the major heart tissues. A radioactive 153Sm liquid balloon is simulated as well as a 32P radioactive stent, inserted in an arbitrary heart artery. After simulation processing, the absorbed dose rate was evaluated in the heart musculature. The models are presented in two- and three-dimensional previews and the dosage profiles are shown by isodose curves superimposed onto the heart model. © 2011, Copyright the Authors. Artificial Organs © 2011, International Center for Artificial Organs and Transplantation and Wiley Periodicals, Inc.