PhD defence H. (Hua) Ma

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a minimally-invasive procedure for treating patients with coronary artery disease. PCI is typically performed with image guidance using X-ray angiograms (XA) in which coronary arteries are visualized with X-ray opaque contrast agents. In this thesis we have reported on the development and evaluation of dynamic image analysis approaches for improving image guidance for PCI. We have proposed layer separation methods to enhance the visibility of coronary arteries in XA. Additionally, we have reported the development of a dynamic coronary roadmapping approach for providing real-time visualization of the coronary arteries, even after the contrast agents have disappeared from the arteries. Both approaches have the potential to reduce use of contrast agent during PCI procedures. The techniques developed in thesis could be used to build an improved image guidance system that can help interventional cardiologists to view relevant information that is needed for PCI.

The public defence will take place at the Prof. Andries Queridoroom, 3rd floor Education Center, Erasmus MC. The ceremony will begin exactly at 11.30 hrs. In light of the solemn nature of the ceremony, we recommend that you do not take children under the age of 6 to the first part of the ceremony.