Volume rendering of images of four dimensional (4D) heart image data, in particular cardiac CT data by slab multiplanar reformatting (MPR), is improved by providing an automated method and apparatus for determining and locking onto anatomically relevant viewing parameters. In particular the view plane, view axis and view orientation are changed from frame to frame in the movie so they remain fixed to an anatomical feature of interest, thereby providing a stable movie of the heart feature of interest. Provision of a dynamic view plane compensates not only for translational motion of the heart feature of interest, but also for its tilting and twisting. Tilting effects are highly significant when viewing heart valves, since the valve plane exhibits varying angles of tilt through the heart phases as a result of the generally tubular arteries and veins exhibiting a bending motion.
