Published in:
01-12-2014 | Editorial
Absolute myocardial blood flow quantification with SPECT/CT: Is it possible?
Authors:
Piotr J. Slomka, PhD, Daniel S. Berman, MD, Guido Germano, PhD
Published in:
Journal of Nuclear Cardiology
|
Issue 6/2014
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Excerpt
Absolute myocardial blood flow (MBF) and myocardial flow reserve (MFR) are important physiological variables related to heart disease. Traditionally, these measurements have been obtained by dynamic PET imaging. They have been shown to provide clinically useful information beyond that provided by the assessment of relative perfusion defects in a variety of ways. These variables can potentially identify multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD) and predict the extent of disease more accurately than relative quantification or visual analysis of myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI),
1,
2 which are the clinical standards today. The ability to quantify absolute MBF with stress MPI may permit improved identification of patients in whom the relative regional distribution of tracer may appear normal because of a balanced reduction of blood flow.
3 Prognostically, MFR demonstrated value as a marker for adverse cardiac events, allowing additional risk stratification beyond that provided by the assessment of relative perfusion defects alone.
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7 Even in the absence of obstructive epicardial disease, a low value of stress MBF or MFR can predict increased risk of cardiac events, and therefore, indicate the possible need of aggressive therapy for possible risk factors of CAD.
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