The Left ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular volumes assessed from 99mTC single photon emission tomography technique during stress and rest in relation to age in normal volunteer students.

Abstract

The heart is subject to structural and functional changes with advancing age. Left ventricular compliance appears to decline with age, which could explain why the elderly have such a high rate of heart failure. Changes in heart function with age are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular death and morbidity. Various techniques have been used to measure the impact of age on heart structure and function. Subject and methods: The study included 221 healthy adult male and female volunteers (160 females and 61 males, 20–80 years of age). All healthy subjects volunteered to participate in this study. They were classified according to their age. All healthy subjects enrolled in the study underwent myocardial perfusion imaging following the 2-day rest–stress 99mTc sestamibi (GSPECT) protocol. At rest and during stress, end-diastolic volume, end-systolic volume, and ejection fraction using the GSPECT software were assessed both at rest and during stress for comparison. The following parameters were measured: left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV), left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). The results show that the change in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) decreased during rest and stress in all age groups. In contrast, the change in left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV) increased during stress and rest compared with the left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) for all ages. Results show a significant change in EDV, ESV, and EF% (16.49%, 30.35%, -7.49%) with p-value < 0.05 for the groups (20- 49). Also a significant change in EDV, ESV, and EF% (12.13%, 24.86%,-1.62%), respectively, with p-value <0.05. for age range (50-80) years. In conclusion, in people with no cardiac functional or structural problems, the aging process is linked to considerable alterations in left and right ventricular EF, ESV, and EDV. When assessing SPECT with 99mTc investigations, our findings highlight the need to adopt age-adapted data as a reference standard. Keywords: SPECT with 99mTC, Age, Hemodynamics, Rest and Stress