Myocardial perfusion imaging with 13N-Ammonia PET is a strong predictor for outcome

Abstract

Background/objectivesThe aim of the present study was to assess the long-term predictive value of myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) with 13N-ammonia positron emission tomography (PET) in patients with suspected myocardial perfusion abnormality. At present, outcome data on the predictive value of MPI in 13N-ammonia PET exist only for rather small patient populations. MethodsCardiac perfusion was assessed in 943 consecutive patients using 13N-ammonia PET, and follow-up was obtained in 698 (74%). 77 patients who underwent early revascularization (<60days) were excluded and 621 patients were assigned to normal versus abnormal perfusion for outcome analysis. Hard events (cardiac death and non-fatal myocardial infarction) and major adverse cardiac events (MACE; hard events, hospitalization for cardiac reasons and late revascularization) were investigated using the Kaplan–Meier method. Independent predictors for various cardiac events were identified using Cox proportional hazard regression analysis. ResultsDuring follow-up (5.7±2.5years), 275 patients had at least 1 cardiac event, including 102 cardiac deaths and 33 non-fatal myocardial infarction. Abnormal perfusion (n=469) was associated with a higher incidence of MACE (P<0.001) and hard events (P<0.001) throughout the 10-year follow-up period. ConclusionsCardiac perfusion findings in 13N-ammonia PET are strong predictors of long-term outcome.