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01-06-2014 | Original Article

CT-based attenuation correction in Tl-201 myocardial perfusion scintigraphy is less effective than non-corrected SPECT for risk stratification

Authors: Christos A. Savvopoulos, MD, Trifon Spyridonidis, MD, Nikolaos Papandrianos, MD, Pavlos J. Vassilakos, MD, Dimitrios Alexopoulos, MD, FACC, FESC, Dimitris J. Apostolopoulos, MD

Published in: Journal of Nuclear Cardiology | Issue 3/2014

Abstract

Background

Previous studies advocate the use of attenuation correction in myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS) for patient risk stratification.

Methods

Six-hundred and thirty-seven unselected patients underwent Tl-201 MPS by a hybrid SPECT/CT system. Attenuation-corrected (AC) and non-corrected (NAC) images were interpreted blindly and summed stress scores (SSS) were calculated. Study endpoints were all-cause mortality and the composites of death/non-fatal acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and death/AMI/late revascularization.

Results

During a follow-up of 42.3 ± 12.8 months 24 deaths, 13 AMIs and 28 revascularizations were recorded. SSS groups formed according to event rate distribution across SSS values were: 0-4, 5-13, >13 for NAC and 0-2, 3-9, >9 for AC. Kaplan-Meier functions were statistically significant between NAC SSS groups for all study endpoints. AC discriminated only between SSS 0-2 and >9 for death/AMI and between 0-2 and 3-9 for death/AMI/revascularization. In the univariate Cox regression abnormal NAC (SSS > 4) was accompanied with much higher hazards ratios than abnormal AC (SSS > 2). In the multivariate model abnormal AC yielded no significance for either endpoint whereas abnormal NAC proved independent from other covariates for the composite endpoints.

Conclusion

Our results challenge the effectiveness of CT-based AC for risk stratification of patients referred for MPS.

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Title: CT-based attenuation correction in Tl-201 myocardial perfusion scintigraphy is less effective than non-corrected SPECT for risk stratification
Authors: Christos A. Savvopoulos, MD
Trifon Spyridonidis, MD
Nikolaos Papandrianos, MD
Pavlos J. Vassilakos, MD
Dimitrios Alexopoulos, MD, FACC, FESC
Dimitris J. Apostolopoulos, MD
Publication date: 01-06-2014
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Nuclear Cardiology / Issue 3/2014
Print ISSN: 1071-3581
Electronic ISSN: 1532-6551
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12350-014-9867-7

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CT-based attenuation correction in Tl-201 myocardial perfusion scintigraphy is less effective than non-corrected SPECT for risk stratification

Abstract

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Results

Conclusion

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