Inverse Compton radiation: a novel X-ray source for K-edge subtraction angiography?

Inverse Compton radiation: a novel X-ray source for K-edge subtraction angiography?
Phys Med Biol. 2019 Jul 15;:
Authors: Paternò G, Cardarelli P, Gambaccini M, Serafini L, Petrillo V, Drebot I, Taibi A
Abstract
Coronary angiography is clinically used worldwide to diagnose diseases of coronary arteries. Despite its effectiveness, this technique is quite invasive and it is associated to significant risks due to the arterial catheterisation needed to inject the contrast agent. A valid alternative is using the K-edge subtraction method, which is based on the subtraction of two images acquired at energies bracketing the K-edge of the contrast element. The enhanced sensitivity of K-edge subtraction allows the intravenous injection of the contrast agent, thus reducing the risks of catheterisation. This technique can be effectively implemented by using intense and quasi-monochromatic X-ray beams. Synchrotron radiation has been proven to work well for this purpose, but its cost and size prevent a widespread clinical application. Inverse Compton sources are among the most promising innovative sources of intense and quasi-monochromatic X-rays. These sources are intrinsically more compact than those based on synchrotron radiation. 
 In this work, the potential application of inverse Compton radiation to K-edge subtraction angiography is investigated. To this purpose, after a short review of the physics behind the inverse Compton pr...

Source: Physics in Medicine and Biology - July 14, 2019 Category: Physics Authors: Paternò G, Cardarelli P, Gambaccini M, Serafini L, Petrillo V, Drebot I, Taibi A Tags: Phys Med Biol Source Type: research