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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 +GV+KJdltYuE5gW7hHV0TA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001179110-09-013906.txt : 20091001
<SEC-HEADER>0001179110-09-013906.hdr.sgml : 20091001
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20091001145441
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001179110-09-013906
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20091001
FILED AS OF DATE:		20091001
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20091001

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Ghanbari Reza
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001452365

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-22229
		FILM NUMBER:		091098361

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3144 NORTHVIEW RD
		CITY:			WAYZATA
		STATE:			MN
		ZIP:			55391

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			VITAL IMAGES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000912888
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-PREPACKAGED SOFTWARE [7372]
		IRS NUMBER:				421321776
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MN
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5850 OPUS PARKWAY, SUITE 300
		CITY:			MINNETONKA
		STATE:			MN
		ZIP:			55343-4414
		BUSINESS PHONE:		952.487.9500

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5850 OPUS PARKWAY, SUITE 300
		CITY:			MINNETONKA
		STATE:			MN
		ZIP:			55343-4414
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4 -
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2009-10-01</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000912888</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>VITAL IMAGES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>VTAL</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001452365</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Ghanbari Reza</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>5850 OPUS PKWY</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 300</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MINNETONKA</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MN</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>55343-4414</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>EVP, Strategy and Products</officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-10-01</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>500</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>9.5583</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>16500</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Shares purchased through the Company's 1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Reza Ghanbari</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-10-01</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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