Cardiac reconstruction imaging in relation to other ultrasound systems and computed tomography.

A computer-controlled system is described for the generation of two-dimensional motion images of the heart. A standard B scanner is used to scan the area of interest during 40-50 cardiac cycles, and the computer controls recording of the ultrasound signals, beam position indicators, and physiologic data. The ultrasonic echoes are reformatted by the computer into sequential frames by reference to the ECG. Images are displayed in motion on a large monitor, and hard copy is obtained on 35 mm cine film. Off-line computer-controlled signal processing is utilized for image enhancement of clinical studies. Real-time systems for the production of two-dimensional motion images of the heart are discussed and compared to computer reconstruction of ultrasound cardiac imaging. The advantages of ultrasound imaging of the heart and other body areas are presented, and prospectives are offered by which the present and future roles of ultrasound can be evaluated in respect and future roles of ultrasound can be evaluated in respect to computed tomography. It is concluded that ultrasound will remain the primary noninvasive modality for cardiac motion study and that ultrasound will continue to provide important clinical information in all parts of the body where it is currently employed.