Abnormal SPECT Research Articles

Myocardial Perfusion Abnormalities in Young and Premenopausal Women with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Detected with 99MTC MIBI Myocardial Perfusion Scintigraphy - Prevalence and Correlation with Proatherogenic Factors.

Atherosclerosis in young and premenopausal women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is frequent, premature and progressive. Although asymptomatic or with atypical clinical presentation, the patients are at high risk of cardiac events. Aim of this study is to estimate the risk profile for atherogenesis and the prevalence of myocardial perfusion abnormalities with 99mTc myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS) in young and premenopausal women. Sixty female patients, aged 30-72 years (divided into two subgroups - patients under 45 years of age and patients over 45 years), diagnosed with SLE for over of 5 years, in active phase of the disease were analyzed for disease activity scores (SLEDAI), the immunologic status of the disease (ANA and a-DNA antibodies in the serum), procoagulant tendency (antiphospholipid antibodies-APhL and lupus-anticoagulant-LAC), the activity of the inflammatory process (hsCRP), the anti-SLE therapeutic approach and the presence of traditional risk factors for atherosclerosis (BMI, smoking, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, and familial history for the CAD). Using one-day Dipyridamol - Rest 99mTc SPECT Gated MPS SPECT the extent, severity and reversibility of myocardial perfusion abnormalities were estimated, along with summed scores at stress, rest and summed difference scores and left ventricle volumes and ejection fraction. Abnormal MPS SPECT were detected in 27/60 or in 45% of patients, with one vessel affection of 66.7% (18/27pts) of LAD and 14.8% (4/27pts) o RCA and with two vessel disease of LAD/RCA in 2/27 pts (7.4%) and LAD/Cx in 3/27pts (11.1%). Myocardial perfusion abnormalities were equally prevalent in subgroups of patients younger than 45 years (44,4%) and in patients older than 45 years (45.5%) (ns). The subgroups did not differ significantly concerning the extent of perfusion abnormalities (9,8±3.2% of LV myocardial mass vs. 9,8±7.1%,ns), their severity (with predominance of mild perfusion defects, 48,6% vs. 51,3%,ns) and reversibility (reversible in 41.3% and 58.6%, ns). The differences between the summed scores of severity and the extent of ischemia in the two subgroups were statistically nonsignificant. Younger patients had significantly higher end-diastolic, end-systolic and stroke volumes during stress and rest conditions, compared to older patients (p<0,01) although there were no differences in systolic function, which was not affected in either of the groups as expressed threw ejection fraction. Although nonsignificant, younger patients had higher values of hsCRP and higher procoagulant activity (positive aPhL, LAC) while they were with more active disease activity, with higher SLEDAI score compared to older patients (p=0.028). Higher SLEDAI score and LV volumes, especially EDV at stress were identified as predictor of abnormal MPS in younger groups and more aggressive multidrug anti SLE treatment as predictor of normal MPS. The prevalence and characteristics of myocardial perfusion abnormalities in young SLE are equal as the same in older SLE patients, which indicates the presence of premature, accelerated atherosclerosis in young cohort of patients with SLE. Younger SLE patients with pure disease control (higher SLEDAI score, less aggressive treatment, high hsCRP values and pronounced procoagulant tendency) should undergo screening for myocardial perfusion abnormalities s using 99mTc MIBI MPS).

Predictive value of dipyridamole myocardial perfusion tomography on survival

Dipyridamole (DIP) is the most commonly employed pharmacological stressor for myocardial perfusion tomography (SPECT) in patients unable to reach an adequate work load. To assess the predictive capacity of DIP SPECT on survival. We included 985 adults aged 66 ±11 years (45% women) with rest and DIP-SPECT. The main indications for the procedure were coronary artery disease (CAD) screening in 66% and known CAD in 33%. Participants were followed up for a median of 65 months (interquartile range 54 to 86 months). During the follow up, 261 deaths were recorded and 98% had a specified cause in their death certificate. Myocardial SPECT was abnormal in 44% of participants. Transient ischemic defects were observed in 34%, fixed defects concordant with infarction in 27% and post-stress systolic dysfunction in 23%. Twenty five percent of deaths were attributable to cardiac or ischemic cause and 22% to cancer. In a bivariate analysis, the hazard ratio (HR) of death of any cause was lower in females and higher in the presence of CAD. The multivariate analysis showed that being older than 46 years increased the HR of death of any cause. In a bivariate analysis, the HR for cardiac death was higher when the myocardial SPECT showed ischemia, necrosis or left ventricular dilation. In the multivariate analysis, post-stress left ventricular systolic function was associated with a lower risk of cardiac death. An abnormal myocardial SPECT, perfusion abnormalities, left ventricular systolic function or dilation are independent predictors of cardiac death in these participants.

Neuropsychiatric symptoms and cognitive profile in mild cognitive impairment with Lewy bodies.

The accurate clinical characterisation of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is becoming increasingly important. The aim of this study was to compare the neuropsychiatric symptoms and cognitive profile of MCI with Lewy bodies (MCI-LB) with Alzheimer's disease MCI (MCI-AD). Participants were ⩾60 years old with MCI. Each had a thorough clinical and neuropsychological assessment and 2β-carbomethoxy-3β-(4-iodophenyl)-N-(3-fluoropropyl)-nortropane single photon emission computed tomography FP-CIT SPECT). MCI-LB was diagnosed if two or more diagnostic features of dementia with Lewy bodies were present (visual hallucinations, cognitive fluctuations, motor parkinsonism, rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder or positive FP-CIT SPECT). A Lewy body Neuropsychiatric Supportive Symptom Count (LBNSSC) was calculated based on the presence or absence of the supportive neuropsychiatric symptoms defined by the 2017 DLB diagnostic criteria: non-visual hallucinations, delusions, anxiety, depression and apathy. MCI-LB (n = 41) had a higher LBNSSC than MCI-AD (n = 24; 1.8 ± 1.1 v. 0.7 ± 0.9, p = 0.001). 67% of MCI-LB had two or more of those symptoms, compared with 16% of MCI-AD (Likelihood ratio = 4.2, p < 0.001). MCI-LB subjects scored lower on tests of attention, visuospatial function and verbal fluency. However, cognitive test scores alone did not accurately differentiate MCI-LB from MCI-AD. MCI-LB is associated with neuropsychiatric symptoms and a cognitive profile similar to established DLB. This supports the concept of identifying MCI-LB based on the presence of core diagnostic features of DLB and abnormal FP-CIT SPECT imaging. The presence of supportive neuropsychiatric clinical features identified in the 2017 DLB diagnostic criteria was helpful in differentiating between MCI-LB and MCI-AD.

Seven tesla MRI of the substantia nigra in patients with rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder

IntroductionSusceptibility-weighted imaging of the substantia nigra (SN) both at 7 and 3 Tesla (T) has shown high accuracy in distinguishing patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and healthy subjects (HS). Patients with rapid eye movement (REM) behavior disorder (RBD) can develop synucleinopathies, and such risk is higher with dopamine transporter single photon emission tomography (123I-FP-CIT SPECT) evidence of nigro-striatal dysfunction. We aimed at evaluating SN 7T magnetic resonance imaging (7T-MRI) in patients with RBD and determining the agreement between MRI and 123I-FP-CIT SPECT. MethodsFifteen patients with idiopathic RBD confirmed by polysomnography and a recent 123I-FP-CIT SPECT underwent a 7T MR by using three-dimensional gradient-recalled-echo multiecho susceptibility-weighted imaging of the SN; the findings were randomly presented with those of 14 HS and 28 patients with PD and blindly evaluated by an expert neuroradiologist, according to recently published criteria. MRI and SPECT results were also compared. ResultsNine subjects with RBD had abnormal SPECT; among them, the findings of 7T-MRI were rated abnormal in eight. Out of six subjects with RBD with normal SPECT, the 7T-MRI findings of five were rated normal. The Cohen's kappa statistic value of agreement was 0.722. ConclusionGradient-recalled-echo multiecho susceptibility-weighted imaging of the SN at 7T is abnormal in 60% of patients with RBD. The 7T-MRI and 123I-FP-CIT SPECT results showed good agreement. 7T-MRI of the SN could represent a safe marker for neurodegenerative disease in patients with RBD, however longitudinal study is warranted.

Accelerated atherosclerosis in ANCA-associated vasculitis.

Cardiovascular disease, including myocardial infarction and stroke, is a major cause of mortality in ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV). Although AAV affects small vessels, an accelerated atherosclerosis not explained by traditional cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) has been demonstrated. We aimed to investigate the association of atherosclerosis measured by carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and cerebral small vessel disease in AAV-patients. Twenty-three AAV-patients in complete remission were recruited. Carotid ultrasonography (US), transcranial Doppler (TCD), brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and SPECT after intravenous administration of tracer 99mTc-HMPAO (dose: 720MBq) were performed. AAV-patients presented higher CIMT compared to normative population. Multivariate linear regression analysis demonstrated an association of higher CIMT with increased pulsatility index in middle cerebral artery (PI-MCA) (P=.011), higher lesion load on ARWMC scale (P=.011) and abnormal SPECT (P=.008). No association between higher CIMT and CVRF (diabetes or hypertension) was demonstrated. Increasing internal carotid artery pulsatility index (PI-ICA) was associated with decreasing mean flow velocity (MFV)-MCA (P=.038), increasing PI-MCA (P=.008) and increasing white matter lesions on MRI (P=.011). Our study adds weight to the presence of increased atherosclerosis in AAV-patients. The association observed between CIMT and PI-ICA with small vessel cerebral disease, points the possible association of easy to use carotid US in predicting microvascular brain injury.

Prognostic Value of Myocardial Perfusion Imaging with a Cadmium-Zinc-Telluride SPECT Camera in Patients Suspected of Having Coronary Artery Disease.

The prognostic value of myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) with the cadmium-zinc-telluride (CZT) SPECT camera is not well established. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to evaluate the prognostic value of MPI performed with a CZT SPECT camera in a large cohort of patients suspected of having coronary artery disease. Methods: Consecutive symptomatic stable patients (n = 4,057) without a history of coronary artery disease underwent CZT SPECT MPI. During a median follow-up of 2.4 y (25th-75th percentile, 1.7-3.4), patients were monitored for primary (nonfatal myocardial infarction and cardiac mortality) and secondary outcomes (late revascularization [>90 d after scanning] and primary outcome). Results: Patients with normal perfusion demonstrated low annual event rates (primary outcome, 0.2%; secondary outcome, 0.6%). Annual event rates increased with the extent of abnormality of myocardial perfusion. In patients with small ischemic perfusion defects, annual event rates were 0.7% and 2.8% for the primary and secondary outcome, respectively. In patients with moderate or large ischemic perfusion defects, these event rates were 1.2% and 4.3%, respectively. After multivariate analysis, the risk for events was significantly associated with the extent of ischemia (hazard ratio for small ischemic defects: 2.2, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.9-5.9 and 4.6, 95% CI, 2.8-7.6, for primary and secondary outcomes, respectively; hazard ratio for moderate or large ischemic defects: 4.0, 95% CI, 1.5-10.5 and 12.1, 95% CI, 7.2-20.2, for primary and secondary outcomes, respectively). Conclusion: Our findings show that MPI acquired with a CZT SPECT camera provides excellent prognostic information, with low event rates in patients with normal myocardial perfusion. In patients with abnormal SPECT MPI, the extent of abnormality is independently associated with an increased risk of events.

Long-Term Cognitive Decline in Dementia with Lewy Bodies in a Large Multicenter, International Cohort.

The aim of this study was to describe the rate and clinical predictors of cognitive decline in dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), and compare the findings with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD) patients. Longitudinal scores for the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) in 1,290 patients (835 DLB, 198 PDD, and 257 AD) were available from 18 centers with up to three years longitudinal data. Linear mixed effects analyses with appropriate covariates were used to model MMSE decline over time. Several subgroup analyses were performed, defined by anti-dementia medication use, baseline MMSE score, and DLB core features. The mean annual decline in MMSE score was 2.1 points in DLB, compared to 1.6 in AD (p = 0.07 compared to DLB) and 1.8 in PDD (p = 0.19). Rates of decline were significantly higher in DLB compared to AD and PDD when baseline MMSE score was included as a covariate, and when only those DLB patients with an abnormal dopamine transporter SPECT scan were included. Decline was not predicted by sex, baseline MMSE score, or presence of specific DLB core features. The average annual decline in MMSE score in DLB is approximately two points. Although in the overall analyses there were no differences in the rate of decline between the three neurodegenerative disorders, there were indications of a more rapid decline in DLB than in AD and PDD. Further studies are needed to understand the predictors and mechanisms of cognitive decline in DLB.

Outcome of patients with high-risk Duke treadmill score and normal myocardial perfusion imaging on spect

BackgroundAnnual mortality rate can range from <1% for patients with normal myocardial perfusion by SPECT to >5% based on a high-risk Duke treadmill score (DTS). Information on the prognosis of patients with the combination of HRDTS and normal SPECT is limited and is the purpose of this study. MethodsData from a large nuclear cardiology registry (n = 17,972 patients) were reviewed. A total of 340 had HRDTS (score ≤ −11) while undergoing SPECT. Combined cardiovascular mortality and non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI) and cardiovascular mortality alone were available in 310 patients at a mean follow-up of 4.01 ± 1.5 years. ResultsThe majority of the patients had abnormal SPECT (n = 270, 71%). The abnormal SPECT patients compared to the normal were older (65.6 vs 62.8 years of age; P = .025), more likely to have abnormal left ventricular ejection fraction (26.1% vs 0%; P < .0001), known coronary artery disease (CAD, 35.9% vs 7.8%; P < .0001) and lower DTS (−14.5 vs −13.2; P = .0006), Kaplan-Meier survival analysis demonstrated a significantly lower cardiovascular mortality (5.4% vs 0%, P = .02) and combined outcome of MI and cardiovascular mortality (15% vs 4.4%, P = .009) in patients with normal versus abnormal SPECT. ConclusionsHigh-risk DTS is associated with abnormal perfusion SPECT in most patients, but nearly one-third of the patients had normal perfusion. Patients with a normal SPECT had a lower cardiovascular event rates.

123I-FP-CIT and 99mTc-HMPAO in Pathologically Confirmed Progressive Supranuclear Palsy

Molecular brain imaging I-FP-CIT SPECT is an important tool in evaluation of patients with parkinsonism. However, various neurodegenerative etiologies cannot be differentiated by I-FP-CIT SPECT alone. We present a case of progressive supranuclear palsy with abnormal I-FP-CIT SPECT and abnormal Tc-HMPAO SPECT depicted by quantitative analyses but unremarkable MRI 16 months after the onset of symptoms. Brain autopsy demonstrated presence of neuronal and glial tau pathology in both cortical and subcortical regions confirming the diagnosis of progressive supranuclear palsy. This case illustrates potential values of multimodal molecular brain imaging in conjunction with quantitative analysis in the evaluation of movement disorders.

Telemedicine Helps Cardiologists Extend Their Reach.

During a recent set of telemedicine consultations, Joaquin E. Cigarroa, MD, a cardiologist at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, was able to establish relationships with 4 new patients and their families, conduct a physical examination using an electronic stethoscope, review the patients’ laboratory results, and develop a care plan. The best part was that the patients, who all live in coastal Lincoln City, Oregon, were able to skip the 3-hour drive to Portland through traffic and often fog. Figure 1. A mock telecardiology consult. Increasingly, cardiologists across the country are leveraging technology to provide remote care, whether through virtual visits and exams, consultations, or continuous monitoring using a growing array of implantable or wearable devices. “Patients love it,” said Cigarroa. They only need to make the trek to Portland when they need advanced diagnostics or procedures. For Cigarroa and his colleagues at Oregon Health & Science University, providing such off-site care is “critical to providing patient-centered care,” he said. He explained that ≈60% of the patients admitted to the cardiovascular service line at Oregon Health & Science University’s hospital are from outside of the Portland metro area, and many are from rural regions of the state. He and his colleagues have increasingly made use of Oregon Health & Science University’s telemedicine portals, which can even be used to perform echocardiograms, to care for patients closer to their homes. “It’s compassionate to the patient and their family to maintain them in their community and only transfer them if they need procedural or …

PREDICTING PROGRESSION FROM MILD COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT (MCI) TO ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE USING PERFUSION BRAIN SPECT IMAGING ANALYSIS OF THE INITIAL HOSPITAL VISIT

Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) has been proposed as a transitional stage between the cognitive changes of normal aging and dementia. 10 to 15% of MCI patients progress to Alzheimer's disease (AD) within one year. The aim of this study was to investigate whether perfusion brain SPECT imaging at the initial hospital visit could predict progression from MCI to AD. The SPECT device used in this study was Infina Hawkeye 4, General Electronics, with rotating two-headed gamma camera with a fan beam collimator (64x64). The data were acquired for 20 minutes, beginning 20 minutes after the intravenous administration of 123I- IMP (111MBq). The easy Z-score Imaging System (eZIS) and Voxel Based Stereotactic Extraction Estimation (vbSEE) were used in this study for the quantitative assessment of brain SPECT images. More than 20% decrease in the extent % comparison to the control subjects was used to assess the hypoperfusion in the vbSEE analysis. To determine the frequent hypoperfusion regions in the vbSEE analysis, 80 hemispheres of 40 patients with probable AD (29 female, 11 male, age range 52-82) were analyzed. Nine regions were selected as the frequent hypoperfusion regions including angular gyrus, supramarginal gyrus, inferior parietal lobule, precuneus, middle temporal gyrus, superior parietal lobule, superior temporal gyrus, cingulated gyrus. Among 82 MCI patients (male 21, female 61), 36 patients showed abnormal SPECT (A group) and 46 patients showed normal SPECT (N group). The age and MMSE were not significantly different between the groups. Progression from MCI to AD was observed for the period of 1-5 years. Among 61 patients observed for one year, 17 patients progressed from MCI to AD, including 6 patients in N group (35.3%) and 11 patients in A group (64.7%). The Logrank test demonstrated a significant difference in survival curve between the group A and N (P value=0.00842; p<0.01). The eZIS and vbSEE analysis of SPECT imaging at the initial hospital visit in MCI patients is a useful tool for predicting the progression to AD in the near future.

Three-dimensional quantification of myocardial perfusion during regadenoson stress computed tomography

BackgroundThere is no accepted methodology for CT-based vasodilator stress myocardial perfusion imaging and analysis. We developed a technique for quantitative 3D analysis of CT images, which provides several indices of myocardial perfusion. We sought to determine the ability of these indices during vasodilator stress to identify segments supplied by coronary arteries with obstructive disease and to test the accuracy of the detection of perfusion abnormalities against SPECT. MethodsWe studied 93 patients referred for CT coronary angiography (CTCA) who underwent regadenoson stress. 3D analysis of stress CT images yielded segmental perfusion indices: mean X-ray attenuation, severity of defect and relative defect volume. Each index was averaged for myocardial segments, grouped by severity of stenosis: 0%, <50%, 50–70%, and >70%. Objective detection of perfusion abnormalities was optimized in 47 patients and then independently tested in the remaining 46 patients. ResultsCTCA depicted normal coronary arteries or non-obstructive disease in 62 patients and stenosis of >50% in 31. With increasing stenosis, segmental attenuation showed a 7% decrease, defect severity increased 11%, but relative defect volume was 7-fold higher in segments with obstructive disease (p<0.001). In the test group, detection of perfusion abnormalities associated with stenosis >50% showed sensitivity 0.78, specificity 0.54, accuracy 0.59. When compared to SPECT in a subset of 21 patients (14 with abnormal SPECT), stress CT perfusion analysis showed sensitivity 0.79, specificity 0.71, accuracy 0.76. Conclusions3D analysis of vasodilator stress CT images provides quantitative indices of myocardial perfusion, of which relative defect volume was most robust in identifying segments supplied by arteries with obstructive disease. This study may have implications on how CT stress perfusion imaging is performed and analyzed.

Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography Is an Ambiguous Imaging Method on Initial Diagnosis for Acute Encephalopathy.

The distinction between acute encephalopathy (AE) and convulsive disorders with pyrexia may be problematic. We analyzed the clinical and laboratory features in 127 children who were admitted for suspected AE. They were categorized into (1) definite acute encephalopathy group (DAEG; n = 17, abnormal findings on electroencephalography [EEG], magnetic resonance imaging, or single-photon emission computed tomography [SPECT] with prolonged impaired consciousness), (2) probable acute encephalopathy group (PAEG; n = 21, abnormal findings without prolonged impaired consciousness), and (3) nonacute encephalopathy group (NAEG; n = 89). Cerebrospinal fluid interleukin-6 (CSF IL-6), and serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and creatine phosphokinase levels were significantly higher in DAEG compared with NAEG but not PAEG. No significant differences were observed between DAEG and PAEG except for serum creatinine levels. In PAEG, an area of hypoperfusion was observed on SPECT images of nine patients with normal CSF IL-6 levels. AE was suspected in two PAEG patients who exhibited high CSF IL-6 levels and abnormal EEG findings without abnormal SPECT findings. All seven patients with severe neurological sequelae were categorized to DAEG. CSF IL-6 and serum AST, ALT, and creatine kinase levels may be valid predictors of typical AE; prolonged impaired consciousness is an important sign of AE. However, SPECT may not be suitable for initial diagnosis of AE.

Prospective assessment of deep inspiration breath hold to prevent radiation-associated cardiac perfusion defects in patients with left-sided breast cancer.

41 Background: Radiation therapy (RT) for left-sided breast cancer can cause regional cardiac perfusion abnormalities in nearly half of patients at 6 months post-RT. While the significance of these perfusion abnormalities remains unclear, RT is a well-accepted risk factor for heart disease. We herein report the results of a single-arm prospective clinical study to assess deep inspiratory breath hold (DIBH; using AlignRT) as a means to prevent the development of perfusion abnormalities in patients with left-sided breast cancer. Methods: Patients about to receive left-sided tangential RT had a pre-RT cardiocentric single photon emission computed tomography with CT based attenuation correction (IQ SPECT-CT) rest-cardiac gated perfusion scan (to assure a normal baseline). DIBH and conformal blocking was used to assure that the heart was excluded from the primary RT beam. Doses to the heart were computed. At 6-months post-RT, the SPECT-CT was repeated. The perfusion and motion images were assessed qualitatively by a nuclear medicine physician. Results: Twenty-four patients have been enrolled. Four were not evaluable (e.g. due to an abnormal pre-RT SPECT scan); one has been lost to follow-up. All patients received tangential radiation to the breast/chest wall (typical doses 200 cGy x 25 or 267 cGy x 16); five also received regional nodal RT as well; and 18/19 received a tumor bed boost. The mean heart dose ranged from 42-160cGy for all 19 patients (mean of the means = 78 cGy). Of the 19 potentially evaluable patients, post-RT SPECTs have been obtained in ten. All ten have a normal post-RT SPECT scan; and/or no change from pre-RT scan. Conclusions: In patients receiving tangential RT for left-sided breast cancer, cardiac avoidance with DIBH (e.g. with AlignRT) and conformal field shaping, appears to be able to prevent the development of RT-associated cardiac perfusion abnormalities. The mean dosages to the heart are quite low. Updated information on the remaining patients will be presented. Funded in part by VisionRT. Clinical trial information: NCT01849614.

Utility of the combination of DAT SPECT and MIBG myocardial scintigraphy in differentiating dementia with Lewy bodies from Alzheimer's disease.

Purpose123I-2β-Carbomethoxy-3β-(4-iodophenyl)-N-(3-fluoropropyl) nortropane (123I-FP-CIT) dopamine transporter single photon emission computed tomography (DAT SPECT) and 123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) myocardial scintigraphy can be used to assist in the diagnosis of patients with dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). We compared the diagnostic value of these two methods in differentiating DLB from Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Furthermore, we evaluated whether a combination of DAT SPECT and MIBG myocardial scintigraphy would provide a more useful means of differentiating between DLB and AD.MethodsPatients with AD (n = 57) and patients with DLB (n = 76) who underwent both DAT SPECT and MIBG myocardial scintigraphy were enrolled. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of both methods as well as their combination for differentiating DLB from AD were calculated. Moreover, we examined whether symptoms of the patients with DLB were associated with the patterns of the abnormalities displayed on DAT SPECT and MIBG myocardial scintigraphy.ResultsThe sensitivity and specificity of differentiating DLB from AD were 72.4 and 94.4 % by the heart to mediastinum ratio of MIBG uptake, 88.2 and 88.9 % by the specific binding ratio on DAT SPECT, and 96.1 and 90.7 % by their combination, respectively. The combined use of DAT SPECT and MIBG myocardial scintigraphy enabled more accurate differentiation between DLB and AD compared with either DAT SPECT or MIBG myocardial scintigraphy alone. There was a significantly higher frequency of parkinsonism in the abnormal DAT SPECT group than the normal DAT SPECT group. On the other hand, there was a higher frequency of the appearance of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder in the abnormal MIBG uptake group than the normal MIBG uptake group.ConclusionThese results suggested that using a combination of these scintigraphic methods is a useful and practical approach to differentiate DLB from AD.

Utilization of the DaT-SCAN SPECT in the Diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease in Older Subjects

The diagnosis of parkinsonism is essentially made by the presence of typical features including bradykinesia, plastic rigidity and resting tremor. However, in older persons, where the prevalence of parkinsonism is higher, the diagnosis is often inaccurate. The utilization of new radiological techniques, such as the DaT-SCAN SPECT, can improve the early diagnosis and treatment of these patients. However, no data are available at this moment in older population. Aims of this study were to investigate the role of the DaT-SCAN SPECT in the diagnosis of parkinsonism in older persons, and to propose a new diagnostic algorithm on DaT-SCAN SPECT to be used in older persons with parkinsonism. Patients evaluated at the Nuclear Medicine Unit of the University Hospital of Parma for diagnosis of parkinsonism from January 2009 to June 2012 who underwent clinical evaluation, and radiological assessment with DaT-SCAN SPECT, brain CT and MRI. A total of 267 patients, 147 men (55.06%) and 120 women(44.94%) with a mean age of 73.12 ± 5.08 years were enrolled in the study. In the multivariate linear regression analysis including age, sex, and bradykinesia, the presence of cerebral vascular lesions in the CT or MRI was the most significant predictive factor of abnormal DaT-SCAN SPECT uptake (beta± SE, p=0.002). The presence of bradykinesia remained also significantly associated with the DaT- SCAN SPECT uptake. In older subjects, the CT or MRI detection of cerebral vascular lesions and the presence of bradykinesia are the most significant predictors of abnormal DaT-SCANTM SPECT uptake. The timing of scan execution and the coexistence of motor and cognitive deficits, are key elements to improve the accuracy of early detection of altered nigrostriatal system, for avoiding misdiagnosis and side-effects of medications inappropriately started in older persons. This study could facilitate clinicians to treat older persons with Parkinson's disease and to ameliorate the accuracy of the diagnosis for testing the effects of new drugs affecting the natural history of this neurodegenerative disease. The accuracy of the diagnosis could permit an early identification of these diseases, and could permit to test neuroprotective drugs in early phase of patients with Parkinson's disease. Keywords: DAT-SPECT, Parkinson's disease, Vascular Parkinsonism, Parkinsonism, Older Persons, diagnosis.

Highly abnormal SPECT in a patient with left ventricular non-compaction and no evidence of obstructive coronary artery disease

Highly abnormal SPECT in a patient with left ventricular non-compaction and no evidence of obstructive coronary artery disease

A multi-center assessment of the temporal trends in myocardial perfusion imaging

BackgroundRecent literature suggests that the frequency of abnormal SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) has decreased over the past two decades despite an increase in the prevalence of many cardiac risk factors. This study examined the trends in the prevalence of obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) by abnormal and ischemic MPI and invasive angiography. MethodsWe analyzed all patients who underwent stress MPI or invasive angiography at two academic centers between January 1996 and December 2012, for their demographic data and study results. ResultsA total of 108,654 MPI studies were performed. Over time, the percentage of patients with hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, and a history of smoking increased. There was a decline in the prevalence of abnormal MPI studies in all patients as well as in those with and without known CAD (from 47.2%, 71.8%, and 31.4% in 1996 to 33.9%, 64.8%, and 18.8% in 2012, respectively, all P < .0001). Similarly, there was a decline in the prevalence of ischemic MPI studies in all patients as well as in those with and without known CAD. A total of 142,924 invasive angiograms were performed. There was a decline in the prevalence of one-vessel and multi-vessel coronary disease (from 29.1% and 53.6% in 1996 to 22.4% and 35.9% in 2012, respectively, all P < .0001). ConclusionsThere has been a temporal decline in the prevalence of abnormal and ischemic MPI studies as well as the frequency and extent of obstructive CAD on angiography. However, this decline was not to the same extent as previously reported, and the overall 34% abnormal MPI rate, with 19% in patients with no known CAD and 65% in patients with known CAD, remains a clinically relevant percentage of patients tested.

Comparison of three commercially available softwares for measuring left ventricular perfusion and function by gated SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging

BackgroundThe three softwares, Quantitative Perfusion SPECT (QPS), Emory Cardiac Toolbox, and 4 Dimension-Myocardial SPECT (4DM) are widely used with myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) to determine perfusion defect size (PDS) and left ventricular (LV) function. There are limited data on the degree of agreement between these methods in quantifying the LV perfusion pattern and function. Methods and ResultsIn 120 consecutive patients who had abnormal regadenoson SPECT MPI with a visually derived summed stress score ≥4, the correlation between the softwares for measurements of PDS, reversible, and fixed defects was poor to fair (Spearman’s ρ = 0.18-0.72). Overall, estimation of defect size was smaller by QPS and larger by 4DM. There was discordance among the softwares in 62% of the cases in defining PDS as small/moderate/large. The correlation between the softwares was better for measuring LVEF, volumes and mass (ρ = 0.84-0.97), and discrepant results for defining normal/mild-moderate/severe LV systolic dysfunction were prevalent in 28% of the patients. ConclusionThere are significant differences between the softwares in measuring PDS as well as LV function, and more importantly in defining small, moderate, or large ischemic burden. These results suggest the necessity of using the same software when assessing interval changes by serial imaging.

Impact of Co-morbidity on the Risk of First-Time Myocardial Infarction, Stroke, or Death After Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography Myocardial Perfusion Imaging

The impact of co-morbidity on the cardiovascular risk after single-photon emission computed tomography myocardial perfusion imaging (SPECT MPI) remains unclear. We examined the association between a normal versus abnormal SPECT MPI scan on 10-year risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, and all-cause death, overall and according to co-morbidity level. We identified all patients without previous myocardial infarction or cerebrovascular disease, who had an SPECT MPI performed at Aarhus University Hospital Skejby during 1999 to 2011. We categorized the SPECT MPI scan as normal (no defects) or abnormal (reversible and/or fixed defects). Using nationwide medical registries, we obtained information on co-morbidity level (using Charlson co-morbidity index) and outcomes. We used Cox regression to compute hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), adjusting for gender, age, and co-morbidity level. Among 7,040 patients, 4,962 (70%) had normal scans and 2,078 (30%) abnormal scans. Patients with a normal versus abnormal scan had a 10-year risk of 5.7% versus 10.9% for myocardial infarction, 6.0% versus 7.8% for stroke, and 16.5% versus 29.0% for all-cause death. After adjustment, an abnormal scan was associated with increased risk of myocardial infarction (adjusted hazard ratio 1.73, 95% CI 1.37 to 2.18) and all-cause death (1.42, 95% CI 1.23 to 1.65) but not stroke (1.12, 95% CI 0.86 to 1.45). Co-morbidity level did not affect substantially the association between the scan result and the outcomes. In conclusion, independently of co-morbidity level, an abnormal SPECT MPI scan was associated with an increased 10-year risk of myocardial infarction and all-cause death but not stroke.