Exercise-induced stunning continues for at least one hour: evaluation with quantitative gated single-photon emission tomography

To elucidate the after-effect of exercise on left ventricular (LV) function, end-diastolic volume (EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV) and ejection fraction (LVEF) were evaluated at 1 h after exercise and at rest by technetium-99m tetrofosmin gated myocardial single-photon emission tomography (SPET) using an automated program in 53 subjects. The subjects were grouped as follows: normal scan (n = 16), ischaemia (n = 19) and infarction (n = 18), based on the interpretation of perfusion images. Postexercise LVEF did not differ from resting LVEF in the groups with normal scan and infarction. In patients with ischaemia, postexercise EDV (90+/-17 ml, mean +/-SD) and ESV (44+/-15 ml) were significantly higher than EDV (84+/-15 ml, P = 0.001) and ESV (36+/-14 ml, P<0.0005) at rest. LVEF was significantly depressed 1 h after exercise (53%+/-9% vs 58%+/-9%, P<0.0001). In ischaemic patients with depressed postexercise LVEF, LVEF difference between rest and postexercise showed a significant correlation with the sum of defect scores, which were reversible from exercise to rest perfusion images (r = 0.92, P<0.0001). These results indicate that exercise-induced LV dysfunction (myocardial stunning) continues for at least 1 h in ischaemic patients and that the extent of LVEF depression is determined by the severity of ischaemia.     

Comparison of two software in gated myocardial perfusion single photon emission tomography, for the measurement of left ventricular volumes and ejection fraction, in patients with and without perfusion defects

Emory cardiac toolbox (ECTb) and quantitative gated single photon emission tomography - SPET (QGS) software are the two most often used techniques for automatic calculation of left ventricular volumes (LVV) and ejection fraction (LVEF). Few studies have shown that these software are not interchangeable, however the effect of perfusion defects on performance of these software has not been widely studied. The aim of this study was to compare the performance of QGS and ECTb for the calculation of LVEF, end-systolic volume (ESV) and end-diastolic volume (EDV) in patients with normal and abnormal myocardial perfusion. One hundred and forty-four consecutive patients with suspected coronary artery disease underwent a two-day protocol with dipyridamole stress/rest gated technetium-99m-methoxy isobutyl isonitrile ((99m)Tc-sestamibi) myocardial perfusion (GSPET) (8 gates/cardiac cycles). Rest GSPET scintiscan findings were analyzed using QGS and ECTb. Correlation between the results of QGS and ECTb was greater than 90%. In patients with no perfusion defects, EDV and LVEF using ECTb, were significantly higher than using QGS (P<0.001), whereas no significant difference was noticed in ESV (P=0.741). In patients with perfusion defects, also ECTb yielded significantly higher values for EDV, ESV and LVEF than QGS (P<0.001). In tomograms of patients with perfusion defects, mean differences of EDV and ESV between the two software, were significantly higher than in tomograms of patients without defects (P<0.001), while for LVEF this difference was not significant (P= 0.093). Patients were classified into three subgroups based on the summed rest score (SRS); G1: patients with SRS < or = 3 (n=109), G2: patients with 4 < or = SRS < or = 8 (n=13) and G3: patients with SRS > or = 9 (n=22). One-way ANOVA showed that the mean differences of EDV and ESV values between ECTb and QGS between the subgroups were significant (P<0.001 for both parameters), while no significant difference was noticed between the subgroups, as for the mean difference of LVEF, calculated by the two software (P=0.07). By increasing SRS, the EDV and ESV values were overestimated to a higher level by the ECTb as compared to the QGS software. Linear regression analysis showed that the difference in LVV values, between the two software increased, when SRS also increased (P<0.001). In conclusion, correlation between QGS and ECTb, software was very good both in patients with and without perfusion defects. In patients with perfusion defects, calculated LVEF, ESV and EDV values are higher using ECTb compared to the QGS software. However, the more extensive the perfusion defect was, the greater the difference of LVV between these two software. For the follow up of patients, we suggest the use of a single software either QGS or ECTb, for serial measurements of LV function.     

Ischaemic related transitory left ventricular dysfunction in 201Tl gated SPECT

AIM: To report our data concerning the changes in post-stress and at-rest left ventricular ejection fraction and ventricular volumes in patients with thallium gated SPECT. METHODS: Post-stress and at-rest thallium gated SPECT was performed in 629 consecutive patients; left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular volumes and quantitative perfusion data were obtained. Transitory left ventricular dysfunction was diagnosed when post-stress LVEF did not increase at least 5% from LVEF at-rest. RESULTS: In all patients post-stress LVEF was 64%+/-17 while at-rest LVEF was 66%+/-15 (P=0.6). Post-stress end diastolic volume (EDV) was 142 ml+/-7, at-rest EDV was 141 ml+/-92 (P=0.57), post-stress end systolic volume (ESV) was 54 ml+/-51 and at-rest ESV was 56 ml+/-59 (P=0.38). Data from the perfusion study were used to divide patients into three groups: normal patients (group I), patients with total or partially reversible defects (group II) and patients with fixed defects (group III). In group I and group III patients LVEF at-rest was lower than post-exercise (LVEF 75%+/-11 vs 81%+/-10 (P<0.001) and 57%+/-16 vs 60%+/-18 (P=0.025)), respectively. Patients in group II had a higher at-rest LVEF than post-exercise (LVEF 66%+/-14 vs 64%+/-16 (P=0.003)). While the left ventriuclar volumes in group I and III patients decreased with exercise, group II patients had increased post-stress ESV. CONCLUSIONS: Post-stress and at-rest LVEF are similar when all patients are considered but significant differences appear when patients are divided according to the results of the perfusion study. Normal and fixed defect patients have increased post-exercise LVEF. Patients with reversible defects have decreased LVEF, which is largely due to an increased ESV. Transitory left ventricular dysfunction is related to the presence of reversibility and may benefit from revascularization.     

Comparative value of ECG-gated blood pool SPET and ECG-gated myocardial perfusion SPET in the assessment of global systolic left ventricular function

Both electrocardiographically (ECG) gated blood pool SPET (GBPS) and ECG-gated myocardial perfusion SPET (GSPET) are currently used for the measurement of global systolic left ventricular (LV) function. In this study, we aimed to compare the value of GSPET and GBPS for this purpose. The population included 65 patients who underwent rest thallium-201 GSPET imaging at 15 min after (201)Tl injection followed by planar (planar(RNA)) and GBPS equilibrium radionuclide angiography immediately after 4-h redistribution myocardial perfusion SPET imaging. Thirty-five patients also underwent LV conventional contrast angiography (X-rays). LV ejection fraction (EF) and LV volume [end-diastolic (EDV) and end-systolic (ESV) volumes] were calculated with GBPS and GSPET and compared with the gold standard methods (planar(RNA) LVEF and X-ray based calculation of LV volume). For both LVEF and LV volume, the inter-observer variability was lower with GBPS than with GSPET. GBPS LVEF was higher than planar(RNA) (P<0.01) and GSPET LVEF (P<0.01). Planar(RNA) LVEF showed a slightly better correlation with GBPS LVEF than with GSPET LVEF: r=0.87 and r=0.83 respectively. GSPET LV volume was lower than that obtained using X-rays and GBPS (P<0.01 for both). LV volume calculated using X-rays showed a slightly better correlation with GBPS LV volume than with GSPET LV volume: r=0.88 and r=0.83 respectively. On stepwise regression analysis, the accuracy of GSPET for the measurement of LVEF and LV volume was correlated with a number of factors, including planar(RNA) LVEF, signal to noise ratio, LV volume calculated using X-rays, summed rest score and acquisition scan distance (i.e. the radius of rotation). The accuracy of GBPS for the measurement of LVEF and LV volume was correlated only with the signal level, the signal to noise ratio and the acquisition scan distance. Both GSPET and GBPS provide reliable estimation of global systolic LV function. The better reliability of GBPS and in particular its lower sensitivity to different variables as compared with GSPET favours its use when precise assessment of global systolic LV function is clinically indicated.     

Assessment of left ventricular function and volumes for patients with dilated cardiomyopathy using gated myocardial perfusion SPECT and comparison with echocardiography

AIM: Left ventricular function, volumes and regional wall motion provide valuable diagnostic information and are of long-term prognostic importance in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). This study was designed to compare the effectiveness of two-dimensional echocardiography and gated single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to evaluate these parameters in patients with DCM. METHODS: Gated SPECT and two-dimensional echocardiography were performed in 45 patients with DCM, and in 10 normal subjects as the control group. Patients were divided into two groups according to the aetiology of DCM: group I, ischaemic DCM (n=30); group II, non-ischaemic DCM (n=15). All patients and the control group underwent resting myocardial gated SPECT, 45 min after injection of 555 MBq of Tc-methoxyisobutyl-isonitrile (Tc-MIBI). Gated SPECT data, including left ventricular volumes and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), were processed using an automated algorithm. Simpson's method was used to evaluate these parameters. Regional wall motion was evaluated using both modalities and scored using a 16-segment model with a five-point scoring system. Perfusion defects were expressed as a percentage of the whole myocardium planimetered by a bull's-eye polar map of composite non-gated SPECT. Myocardial perfusion was scored using a 16-segment model with a four-point scoring system. RESULTS: Mean perfusion defects and perfusion defect scores were 25+/-13% and 1.12+/-0.36 in group I and 4+/-8% and 0.76+/-0.26 in group II (P<0.01). The overall agreement between the two imaging modalities for the assessment of regional wall motion was 57% (403/720 segments: 269/480 segments in group I and 134/240 segments in group II). With gated SPECT, LVEF was 27+/-9%, the end-diastolic volume (EDV) was 212+/-71 ml and the end-systolic volume (ESV) was 160+/-67 ml. With echocardiography, these values were 29+/-8%, 197+/-56 ml and 139+/-47 ml, respectively. The correlation between gated SPECT and two-dimensional echocardiography was good (r=0.72, P<0.01) for the assessment of LVEF. The correlation was also good for EDV and ESV, but with wider limits of agreement (r= 0.71, P<0.01 and r=0.71, P<0.01, respectively) and with significantly higher values with gated SPECT (P<0.01). For patients with a perfusion defect of <20% or low myocardial perfusion scores, a higher correlation was found between the two methods for the assessment of LVEF, EDV and ESV. On the other hand, the correlation was lower for the assessment of wall motion. CONCLUSIONS: Gated SPECT and two-dimensional echocardiography correlate well for the assessment of left ventricular function and volumes. Gated SPECT has the advantage of providing information about left ventricular function, dimensions and perfusion.     

Quantifying transient ischemic dilation using gated SPECT.

Transient ischemic dilation (TID) is both a sensitive and a specific indicator of triple-vessel coronary artery disease. This finding, obtained from ungated SPECT images, is the ratio of the average ventricular size after stress compared with rest. With gated SPECT, however, measurements of the end-diastolic volume (EDV) and end-systolic volume (ESV) can be obtained, and the relative contributions of each to the TID ratio may be estimated. The objective of this study was to quantify the relative contributions of the EDV and ESV when correlating an optimized stress-induced volume ratio (SIVR) with myocardial ischemia. METHODS: A retrospective review was made of 422 consecutive patients undergoing gated SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging. Semiquantitative summed stress and rest scores were determined using a 17-segment, 5-point model. The presence of myocardial ischemia was defined as a summed difference score of >or=3 (i.e., myocardial ischemia of >4%). Poststress-to-rest ratios of the EDV, ESV, and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were correlated with myocardial ischemia. Using a brute force method, relative weights were assigned empirically to the EDV and ESV to calculate an optimized SIVR having the strongest correlation with myocardial ischemia. RESULTS: There was a significant correlation between the presence or absence of ischemia and the ESV ratio (P<0.01), the EDV ratio (P<0.01), and the LVEF ratio (P<0.05). When controlling for age, type of stress, and sex, the strongest correlation was with the ESV ratio. The SIVR most strongly correlated with myocardial ischemia was found to be the stress-to-rest ratio of the (ESVx5.0+EDV). This SIVR was more strongly correlated with myocardial ischemia than the stress-to-rest ESV ratio, EDV ratio, or LVEF ratio. CONCLUSION: Compared with either the ESV or the EDV stress-to-rest ratio alone, the combination of both results in a stronger correlation with myocardial ischemia. The contribution of the ESV was found to be 5 times greater than the contribution of the EDV when determining a SIVR most strongly correlated with stress-induced myocardial perfusion defects.     

Exercise-induced stunning continues for at least one hour: evaluation with quantitative gated single-photon emission tomography

To elucidate the after-effect of exercise on left ventricular (LV) function, end-diastolic volume (EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV) and ejection fraction (LVEF) were evaluated at 1 h after exercise and at rest by technetium-99m tetrofosmin gated myocardial single-photon emission tomography (SPET) using an automated program in 53 subjects. The subjects were grouped as follows: normal scan (n = 16), ischaemia (n = 19) and infarction (n = 18), based on the interpretation of perfusion images. Postexercise LVEF did not differ from resting LVEF in the groups with normal scan and infarction. In patients with ischaemia, postexercise EDV (90±17 ml, mean ±SD) and ESV (44±15 ml) were significantly higher than EDV (84±15 ml, P = 0.001) and ESV (36±14 ml, P<0.0005) at rest. LVEF was significantly depressed 1 h after exercise (53%±9% vs 58%±9%, P<0.0001). In ischaemic patients with depressed postexercise LVEF, LVEF difference between rest and postexercise showed a significant correlation with the sum of defect scores, which were reversible from exercise to rest perfusion images (r = 0.92, P<0.0001). These results indicate that exercise-induced LV dysfunction (myocardial stunning) continues for at least 1 h in ischaemic patients and that the extent of LVEF depression is determined by the severity of ischaemia. Received 1 October and in revised form 29 December 1998     

Comparison of left ventricular functional parameters measured by gated single photon emission tomography and by two-dimensional echocardiography

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the correlation amongst left ventricular (LV) functional parameters estimated by gated single photon emission tomography (GSPET) and two-dimensional (2D) M-mode, echocardiography (ECHOC). GSPET was performed in a single day stress/rest protocol by using either technetium-99m methoxy-isobutyl-isonitrile ((99m)Tc-MIBI) or technetium-99m tetrofosmin ((99m)Tc-myoview) in 36 consecutive patients, 21 males and 15 females; mean age 57.6+/-11.8 y, range 32-82 y. The various LV parameters studied were: ejection fraction (EF), end systolic volume (ESV), end diastolic volume (EDV), stroke volume (SV) and LV mass (LVM). The GSPET data were reconstructed using an automatic algorithm employing filtered back projection (FBP) and further analyzed by Emory cardiac (EC) toolbox versions EO-00369 and EO-00733 for the quantitative determinations of these parameters. All patients underwent ECHOC within 1-2 h of the post-stress data acquisition of GSPET. Our results showed that the LV volumes and the LVM showed good correlation (r=0.749 to 0.952, P=0.01). These values could thus be used interchangeably. The assessment of these parameters by GSPET therefore does not seem to be affected by the dose of the radioactivity administered as the dose of the (99m)Tc-labeled myocardial agents for acquiring rest study was approximately four times higher than that for the stress study. Our results also showed that the mean +/- SD values of the volumes and the EF of the LV evaluated by the two techniques, differed significantly except significant correlations for ESV, EDV and LVEF were observed between the two methods: r=0.574 to 0.954; 0.347 to 0.952 and 0.516 to 0.876 respectively. On the other hand, a wide disagreement was observed in estimating the LVM by the two techniques. The LVM measurements by 2D ECHOC were approximately double the values estimated by GSPET. Despite the large disagreement, a small correlation (r=0.33, P=0.05) was observed for LVM between the two techniques. In conclusion, although we observed a good correlation for LV volumes and LVM between the GSPET and the ECHOC techniques, yet these two techniques cannot be used interchangeably.     

Prone versus supine patient positioning during gated 99mTc-sestamibi SPECT: effect on left ventricular volumes, ejection fraction, and heart rate.

Gated myocardial perfusion SPECT allows assessment of left ventricular end-diastolic volume (EDV), left ventricular end-systolic volume (ESV), left ventricular stroke volume (SV), and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Acquiring images with the patient both prone and supine is an approved method of identifying and reducing artifacts. Yet prone positioning alters physiologic conditions. This study investigated how prone versus supine patient positioning during gated SPECT affects EDV, ESV, SV, LVEF, and heart rate. METHODS: Forty-eight patients scheduled for routine myocardial perfusion imaging were examined with gated (99m)Tc-sestamibi SPECT (at rest) while positioned prone and supine (consecutively, in random order). All parameters for both acquisitions were calculated using the commercially available QGS algorithm. RESULTS: Whereas EDV and SV were significantly lower (P < 0.0004) for prone acquisitions (EDV, 110.5 +/- 39.1 mL; SV, 55.9 +/- 13.3 mL) than for supine acquisitions (EDV, 116.9 +/- 36.2 mL; SV, 61.0 +/- 14.5 mL), ESV and LVEF did not differ significantly. Heart rate was significantly higher (P < 0.0001) during prone acquisitions (69.1 +/- 10.5 min(-1)) than during supine acquisitions (66.5 +/- 10.0 min(-1)). CONCLUSION: The observed position-dependent effect on EDV, SV, and heart rate might be explained by decreased arterial filling and increased sympathetic nerve activity. Hence, supine reference data should not be used to classify the results of prone acquisitions.     

Gated cardiac 13N-NH3 PET for assessment of left ventricular volumes, mass, and ejection fraction: comparison with electrocardiography-gated 18F-FDG PET.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate myocardial electrocardiography (ECG)-gated 13N-ammonia (13N-NH3) PET for the assessment of cardiac end-diastolic volume (EDV), cardiac end-systolic volume (ESV), left ventricular (LV) myocardial mass (LVMM), and LV ejection fraction (LVEF) with gated 18F-FDG PET as a reference method. METHODS: ECG-gated 13N-NH3 and 18F-FDG scans were performed for 27 patients (23 men and 4 women; mean+/-SD age, 55+/-15 y) for the evaluation of myocardial perfusion and viability. For both 13N-NH3 and 18F-FDG studies, a model-based image analysis tool was used to estimate endocardial and epicardial borders of the left ventricle on a set of short-axis images and to calculate values for EDV, ESV, LVEF, and LVMM. RESULTS: The LV volumes determined by 13N-NH3 and 18F-FDG were 108+/-60 mL and 106+/-63 mL for ESV and 175+/-71 mL and 169+/-73 mL for EDV, respectively. The LVEFs determined by 13N-NH3 and 18F-FDG were 42%+/-13% and 41%+/-13%, respectively. The LVMMs determined by 13N-NH3 and 18F-FDG were 179+/-40 g and 183+/-43 g, respectively. All P values were not significant, as determined by paired t tests. A significant correlation was observed between 13N-NH3 imaging and 18F-FDG imaging for the calculation of ESV (r=0.97, SEE=14.1, P<0.0001), EDV (r=0.98, SEE=15.4, P<0.0001), LVEF (r=0.9, SEE=5.6, P<0.0001), and LVMM (r=0.93, SEE=15.5, P<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Model-based analysis of ECG-gated 13N-NH3 PET images is accurate in determining LV volumes, LVMM, and LVEF. Therefore, ECG-gated 13N-NH3 can be used for the simultaneous assessment of myocardial perfusion, LV geometry, and contractile function.     

Assessment of left ventricular function by gated myocardial perfusion and gated blood-pool SPECT: Can we use the same reference database?

The purpose of this study was to compare left ventricular (LV) volume and ejection fraction (LVEF) measurements obtained with electrocardiographic gated single-photon emission computed tomographic (SPECT) myocardial perfusion imaging (GS-MPI) with those obtained with gated SPECT cardiac blood-pool imaging (GS-pool). Fifteen patients underwent GS-MPI with technetium-99m-tetrofosmin and GS-pool with technetium-99m-erythrocyte, within a mean interval of 8 +/- 3 days. Eight patients had suspected dilated cardiomyopathy and seven patients had angiographically significant coronary artery disease. End-diastolic volume (EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV) and LVEF measurements were estimated from GS-MPI images by means of Cedars-Sinai automatic quantitative program and from GS-pool images by the threshold technique. Mean differences between GS-MPI and GS-pool in EDV, ESV and LVEF measurements were -2.8 +/- 10.5 ml [95% confidence interval (CI): -8.6 +/- 3.0 ml], 2.6 +/- 7.3 ml (CI: -1.4 +/- 6.6 ml) and -2.3 +/- 5.1% (CI: -5.1 +/- 0.6%), respectively. No significant difference in the mean differences from 0 was found for EDV, ESV or LVEF measurements. Bland-Altman plots revealed no trend over the measured LV volumes and LVEF. For all parameters, regression lines approximated lines of identity. The excellent agreement between GS-MPI and GS-pool measurements suggests that, for estimation of LV volumes and LVEF, these two techniques may be used interchangeably and measurements by one method can serve as a reference for the other.     

Left ventricular function parameters obtained from gated myocardial perfusion SPECT imaging: a comparison of two data processing systems

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The Cedars-Sinai Quantitative Gated Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) (QGS) program, used to quantify left ventricular function parameters from gated myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS), has been extensively validated and compared with other methods of quantification. However, little is known about the reproducibility of QGS on different processing systems. This study compared the findings of QGS running on workstations provided by two different manufacturers. METHODS: Gated rest MPS studies of 50 patients were analysed retrospectively. Filtered back-projection (FBP) was performed using identical parameters on Philips Pegasys and Nuclear Diagnostics Hermes workstations to produce gated short-axis (SA) slices. In addition, the gated SA slices reconstructed on the Pegasys were transferred to the Hermes. QGS was used to calculate the end-diastolic volume (EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in each case. RESULTS: The mean+/-standard deviation differences between the Pegasys and Hermes function parameters were -7.06+/-3.91 ml (EDV), -5.54+/-3.21 ml (ESV) and +1.14%+/-1.43% (LVEF) when data were reconstructed on different systems, and -0.16+/-1.58 ml (EDV), -0.10+/-1.02 ml (ESV) and +0.14%+/-0.73% (LVEF) when data were reconstructed on the same system. Bland-Altman plots showed definite trends for EDV and ESV for data reconstructed on different systems, but no trends were seen for data reconstructed on the same system. CONCLUSIONS: When data were reconstructed on two separate systems, the difference between the function parameters obtained from Pegasys and Hermes could be ascribed to differences in the reconstruction process on each system despite the use of identical parameters (filters, etc). However, when the same reconstructed data were analysed on both systems, no significant difference in left ventricular function parameters was observed.     

Thallium gated SPECT: relation between immediate post-stress evolution of ejection fraction and severity of perfusion pattern

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: A significant decrease of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) at stress has been reported with 99Tc(m) gated single-photon emission computed tomography (gSPECT) in severe myocardial stunning up to 1 h after exercise. This study was designed to show whether 201Tl gSPECT can measure LVEF evolution from rest to stress in routine examination and give additional information to perfusion interpretation since acquisition starts immediately after stress test. METHODS: Post-exercise and rest 201Tl gSPECT were performed in 187 patients with suspected coronary artery disease. Myocardial perfusion was quantified by 20-segment analysis. Patients were divided into four groups according to their summed perfusion score, reversibility rate and electrocardiographic findings, i.e. in order of severity: I = normal perfusion, II = fixed defect owing to a myocardial infarction, III = full reversible ischaemia, and IV = partial reversible ischaemia. LVEF was calculated by Germano's automatic algorithm. RESULTS: Normal subjects (n = 29) and infarcted patients (n = 34) showed a significant LVEF increase between rest and stress, +7 +/- 9% and +5 +/- 7% respectively. In full reversible ischaemic patients (n = 46), stress LVEF showed no increase (+1 +/- 8%) and this group was statistically different from both group I and group II. Furthermore, when ischaemia was partially reversible (n = 31), LVEF decreased significantly (-3 +/- 8%), particularly when exercise tests were abnormal (-4 +/- 8%). Group IV was statistically different from groups I and II. CONCLUSIONS: Good agreement exists between the severity of ischaemic perfusion pattern and LVEF degradation at stress, which is consistent with previously published data using 99Tc(m) gSPECT. Additionally, the use of 201Tl for immediate post-exercise imaging allows the observation of a physiological LVEF increase in normal and infarcted patients.     

Left ventricular ejection fraction and volumes on rest gated 201Tl perfusion SPECT: comparison with two-dimensional echocardiography

BACKGROUND: Rest gated 201Tl images are considered to be of poor count statistics due to lower energy and low photon flux of 201Tl in addition to increased attenuation and low dose that can be administered. We compared the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), end diastolic (EDV) and end systolic volume (ESV) obtained on 4 h gated rest 201Tl myocardial perfusion single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) with those obtained by two-dimensional echocardiography (2-D ECHO) in patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: Eighty-two consecutive patients who underwent gated 201Tl stress-rest myocardial perfusion SPECT and 2-D ECHO were studied. The gated thallium images were processed with Siemens e-soft autocardiac processor and LVEF, EDV and ESV were evaluated using Emory Cardiac Toolbox. The same parameters were also assessed on the 2-D ECHO using the modified Simpson method for comparison. RESULTS: Out of 82 rest gated images, one study was excluded because of poor count statistics. In 81 (99%) patients there was good linear correlation with 2-D ECHO values and rest gated 201Tl SPECT images for EDV, ESV and LVEF. Pearson's correlation co-efficient (r value) for EDV, ESV and LVEF between the two methods was 0.78, 0.79 and 0.88, respectively. A Bland-Altman plot showed close agreement with LVEF but not for EDV and ESV. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the 4 h rest gated 201Tl study gives a reliable value for the LVEF compared to 2-D ECHO and can be used in routine clinical practice.     

99Tcm-NOET门控心肌灌注SPECT评价冠心病的价值

目的评价99Tcm--双（N-乙氧基,N-乙基-二硫代氨基甲酸酯）氮化锝（99Tcm-NOET）静息门控断层心肌灌注显像对冠心病患者的诊断价值。方法疑诊为冠心病的45例患者注射925MBq 99Tcm-NOET后1h用SPECT行静息门控心肌灌注显像,获得舒张未期容积（EDV）、收缩未期容积（ESV）、左室射血分数（LVEF）等心功能参数和舒张末期容积灌注、局部射血分数、局部室壁活动和室壁增厚度4个靶心图。所有患者在1周内行冠状动脉造影,将冠状动脉狭窄≥50％定为病变血管。根据冠状动脉造影结果将其分为心肌梗死组、心肌缺血组和对照组三组。结果99Tcm-NOET静息门控SPECT诊断冠心病的灵敏度和特异度分别为68．42％和83．33％。心肌梗死组的心功能参数[EDV=（129．32±9．14）ml,ESV=（80．97±9．49）ml,LVEF=（40．15±3．28）％】与对照组【EDV=（80．91±3．12）ml,ESV=（30．12±1．79）ml,LVEF=（63．51±1．04）％]相比,统计学差异有显著性（EDV：F=22．103,ESV：F=32．277,LVEF：F=42．60：4,均为P〈0．01）,心肌缺血组的心功能参数[（EDV=（70．83±3．46）ml,ESV=（25．13±2．85）ml,LVEF=（65．55±2．62）％1与对照组相比,统计学差异无显著性意义。心肌梗死组左室心肌共分为460个节段,其中209个节段局部灌注、局部射血分数、局部室壁活动和室壁增厚度4个靶心图均异常。局部灌注异常的节段共328个节段,伴有局部射血分数、局部室壁活动和室壁增厚度异常分别有250个、240个和276个节段。局部灌注异常的节段与局部射血分数、局部室壁活动和室壁增厚度异常的节段不完全匹配。结论99Tcm-NOET静息门控心肌灌注显像对冠心病的诊断有较大临床应用价值,所获得的整体心室功能参数在心肌梗死的评价中有优越性,但对心肌缺血的诊断价值不大。心肌梗死中存在有不少的局部灌注与心肌?     

Post-stress end-systolic left ventricular dilation: a marker of endocardial post-ischemic stunning

Several studies have shown the accuracy of gated single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) using thallium-201 and technetium tracers in the assessment of myocardial perfusion and function. Gated SPECT has been successfully utilized to detect post-stress left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) reduction resulting from post-ischemic stunning in patients with coronary obstruction. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the post-stress LVEF impairment could be related to the post-stress end-systolic ventricular dilation resulting from post-ischemic endocardial stunning. Two hundred and eighty-two consecutive patients were studied by conventional diagnostic 2 day stress/rest gated SPECT following injection of 925 MBq of 99mTc-tetrofosmin using a dual-headed SPECT camera. One hundred and forty-seven of these patients (52%) showed reversible perfusion defects, 69 (24%) permanent defects and the remaining 66 (24%) had normal perfusion. One hundred and thirty-eight of these patients had a history of myocardial infarction (MI) and 19% underwent coronary angiography without an intervening cardiac event. Perfusion was analysed on ungated images using 20 segments scored on a five-point scale (0, normal; 4, no uptake), while wall thickening (WT) was assessed visually on stress/rest end-systolic images using a four-point score (0, normal; 3, absence of WT). LVEF and volumes were calculated using an automatic algorithm. The post-stress and rest ratios were determined for both end-diastolic (EDV) and end-systolic (ESV) volume. Normal values for all these parameters were obtained using data from 149 patients with a low likelihood (<5%) of coronary artery disease (CAD). In 50 of the 147 (34%) of patients with reversible perfusion defects, post-stress LVEF was >5% lower than rest values (stunned group), while the remaining 97 patients did not show a significant LVEF change (group 2A). The percentage of patients who developed exercise-induced angina, the percentage of patients who underwent coronary angiography and the segmental summed perfusion and WT scores were significantly higher in the stunned group compared with group 2A. Only ESV increased significantly post-stress, and this increase occurred only in stunned patients. Both EDV and ESV ratios were significantly higher in the stunned group compared with normal controls (P=0.008 and P<0.000001, respectively) and with the subgroup 2A (P=0.011 and P<10(-12), respectively). The ESV stress/rest ratio correlated significantly with the summed WT difference score by univariate analysis in stunned patients. It can be concluded that the post-stress ESV dilation, obtained by stress/rest gated SPECT, seems to be due to endocardial post-ischemic stunning. The stunned patients showed more severe clinical, angiographic, perfusion and function parameters.     

~(99)Tc~m-NOET门控心肌灌注SPECT评价冠心病的价值

目的 评价~(99)Tc~m-双(N-乙氧基,N-乙基-二硫代氨基甲酸酯)氮化锝(~(99)Tc~m-NOET)静息门控断层心肌灌注显像对冠心病患者的诊断价值.方法 疑诊为冠心病的45例患者注射925 MBq~(99)Tc~m-NOET后1h用SPECT行静息门控心肌灌注显像,获得舒张未期容积(EDV)、收缩未期容积(ESV)、左室射血分数(LVEF)等心功能参数和舒张末期容积灌注、局部射血分数、局部室壁活动和室壁增厚度4个靶心图.所有患者在1周内行冠状动脉造影,将冠状动脉狭窄≥50%定为病变血管.根据冠状动脉造影结果将其分为心肌梗死组、心肌缺血组和对照组三组.结果 ~(99)Tc~m-NOET静息门控SPECT诊断冠心病的灵敏度和特异度分别为68.42%和83.33%.心肌梗死组的心功能参数[EDV=(129.32±9.14)ml,ESV=(80.97±9.49)ml,LVEF=(40.15±3.28)%]与对照组[EDV=(80.91±3.12)ml,ESV=(30.12±1.79)ml,LVEF=(63.51±1.04)%]相比,统计学差异有显著性(EDV:F=22.103,ESV:F=32.277,LVEF:F=42.604,均为P＜0.01),心肌缺血组的心功能参数[(EDV=(70.83±3.46)ml,ESV=(25.13±2.85)ml,LVEF=(65.55±2.62)%]与对照组相比,统计学差异无显著性意义.心肌梗死组左室心肌共分为460个节段,其中209个节段局部灌注、局部射血分数、局部室壁活动和室壁增厚度4个靶心图均异常.局部灌注异常的节段共328个节段.伴有局部射血分数、局部室壁活动和室壁增厚度异常分别有250个、240个和276个节段.局部灌注异常的节段与局部射血分数、局部室壁活动和室壁增厚度异常的节段不完全匹配.结论 ~(99)Tc~m-NOET静息门控心肌灌注显像对冠心病的诊断有较大临床应用价值,所获得的整体心室功能参数在心肌梗死的评价中有优越性,但对心肌缺血的诊断价值不大.心肌梗死中存在有不少的局部灌注与心肌室壁功能异常节段的不匹配,对心肌存活的评价有帮助.     

99Tcm-N-NOET负荷和延迟门控心肌灌注显像对高血压患者的临床价值

Objective To investigate clinical significance of the 99Tcm-bis (N-ethoxy-N-ethyl-dithiocarbamato) nitridotechnetium(99Tcm-N-NOET) exercise and delayed myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) in hypertensive patients. Methods Sixty patients with hypertension and 19 normal subjects were carried out 99Tcm-N-NOET exercise and delayed MPI, and analyzed the results of MPI, exercise electrocardiography (ECG), cardiac function parameters end-diastolic volume(EDV), end-systolic volume(ESV), left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF), △ LVEF (LV EF exercis-LVEF delay) and coronary angiography(CAG). Results ① Sixty patients with hypertension, 22 cases(36.7%)of exercise ECG were abnormal, 16 cases (26.7%)were the chest tightness in exercise, 13 cases (21.7%) were blood pressure excessive reaction in exercise; control group, 2 cases (10.5%) of exercise ECG were abnormal, 1 case (5.3%, 1/19) was chest tightness in exercise,no per-son was blood pressure response in excessive. ②The positive rate of myocardial perfusion in hyper tensive group was significantly higher than the control group (31.75％ vs.5.30％, P<0.05). ③Cardial function parameters in hypertension group [exercise EDV =(79.75 ±29.10)ml, ESV =(28.82 ± 15.73)ml, LVEF =(65.78 ±1.27)%; delay EDV=(81.42±3.47)ml, ESV=(30.62±2.05)ml, LVEF=(64.20±9.70)%] and control group[exercise EDV=(79.63 ±21.65)ml, ESV=(27.37±10.71)ml, LVEF=(66.42±1.55)%; delay EDV=(82.89±4.96)ml,ESV=(31.42±3.06)ml, LVEF=(63.16 ±7.54)%] were no statistical difference(exercise EDV: t=0.161, ESV: t=0.112, LVEF: t=0.261; delay EDV: t=0.276, ESV: t=0.197, LVEF: t=0.184, P>0.05), △ LVEF<0%, 28 cases (46.7%) in hypertension group, 4 cases (21.1%) in control group, χ2=3.929, P<0.05; 11 cases (57.9%) in MPI positive group, 12 cases (29.3％) in MPI negative group, χ2=4.501, P<0.05. ④Nineteen hypertension underwent CAG, 11 cases were abnormal, 8 cases were normal. MPI results: 9 cases were ischemia, 10 cases were normal, and they were no statistical difference (χ2=0.25, P>0.05). The sensitivity,specificity and accuracy of 99Tcm-N-NOET MPI were 72.7％, 87.5％ and 78.9％. Conclusions ①99Tcm-N-NOET exercise and delayed MPI can diagnose whether hypertension patients with myocardial ischemia or not. ② △ LVEF of hypertensive patients reduced, △ LVEF is lower in hypertensive patients of MPI-positive.     

一日法99Tcm-替曲膦运动-静息门控心肌灌注显像的临床研究

目的 探讨使用亚锡替曲膦药盒能否得到满足临床需要的99Tcm-替曲膦(TF)以及1d内完成99Tcm-TF运动-静息G-MPI的可行性.方法 回顾性分析52例行99Tcm-TF运动-静息G-MPI且均有CAG结果的受试者资料.标记亚锡替曲膦并进行放化纯检测.1d内对受试者分别在运动负荷及静息状态下静脉注射99Tcm-TF 370和740 MBq,30 min时行G-MPI.2次注射显像剂间隔时间为(129±4)min.运动负荷状态下注射99Tcm-TF后加行1～ 30 min前位胸腹部平面动态显像和2h前位平面显像.用ROI技术分析胸腹部平面动态像,得到左室心肌、肝及胸部放射性变化情况;用Cedars心肌定量分析软件分析左室心肌各节段灌注情况及左室功能参数(LVEF、EDV、ESV等).1周内行超声心动图检查,获取LVEF、EDV和ESV.对运动-静息G-MPI(取2次显像平均值)心功能参数与超声心动图结果采用SPSS 17.0进行配对t检验.结果 99Tcm-TF放化纯为(97.5±0.4)％.G-MPI左室心肌显影清晰;动态显像示左室心肌与肝放射性比值12 min后逐渐增大,30 min时达0.710,2h延迟显像左室心肌内放射性基本清除.以CAG为“金标准”,G-MPI诊断心肌缺血的灵敏度为84.6％ (22/26),特异性为92.3％(24/26);G-MPI与超声心动图测定的LVEF、EDV和ESV分别为(60.27±7.49)％和(60.84±5.98)％,(97.82±18.98)ml与(98.70-±17.89) ml,(47.67 ±10.32) ml与(45.49 ±10.15) ml,差异均无统计学意义(t=1.254、0.835和0.981,P均＞0.05).结论 采用亚锡替曲膦药盒标记得到的99Tcm-TF能够满足临床需要;99Tcm-TF能够在1d内完成运动负荷及静息G-MPI,可作为常规评价心肌灌注及左室功能的显像剂.     

Comparison of two three-dimensional gated SPECT methods with thallium in patients with large myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND: Two different commercially available gated single photon emission computed tomography (GSPECT) methods were compared in a population of patients with a major myocardial infarction. METHODS: Rest thallium GSPECT was performed with a 90-degree dual-detector camera, 4 hours after injection of thallium-201 (Tl-201; 185 MBq) in 43 patients (mean age, 62+/-12 years) with a large myocardial infarction (mean defect size, 33%+/-16%). End-diastolic volume (EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV), and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were calculated by using QGS (Cedars Sinai) and MultiDim (Sopha Medical Vision International, Buc, France). Images were reconstructed by using a 2.5 zoom and a Butterworth filter (order, 5; cut-off frequency, 0.20). LVEF was calculated in all patients by using equilibrium radionuclide angiocardiography (ERNA). EDV, ESV, and LVEF were also measured by using left ventriculography (LVG). RESULTS: Compared with LVG, QGS underestimated LVEF by means of an underestimation of mean EDV. MultiDim overestimated EDV and ESV. GSPECT EDV and ESV overestimation was demonstrated by means of Bland-Altman analysis to increase with left ventricular volume size (P<.05). The difference between LVG and GSPECT volumes was demonstrated by means of regression analysis to be correlated with infarction size. This effect was particularly important with MultiDim (P<.0001). CONCLUSION: In Tl-201 GSPECT, LVEF and volume measurements will vary according to the type of software used.