title: Prediction of reversible perfusion defects by quantitative analysis of post-exercise electrocardiogram-gated acquisition of technetium-99m 2-methoxyisobutylisonitrile myocardial perfusion scintigraphy.
abstract: The aim of this study was to assess the reliability of the quantitative analysis of regional wall thickening with electrocardiographic-gated technetium-99m 2-methoxyisobutylisonitrile (SESTAMIBI) in predicting the reversibility of stress-induced perfusion defects. The assumption was that a preserved resting wall thickening in a segment with stress-induced perfusion defect would predict normal resting perfusion. Twenty-five patients with suspected coronary artery disease underwent planar stress-rest SESTAMIBI scintigraphy. The wall thickening was quantitatively evaluated as percentage increase in counts from diastole to systole; a ratio defined as the wall thickening index (WTI) between patient and normal profile (mean - 2 SD) below 1 was considered abnormal. Improvement of the perfusion pattern at rest was observed in 76% (54/71) of segments with a stress-induced perfusion defect; 90% of these segments had a (WTI) greater than 0.8. Five segments (9%) showed fixed perfusion defects despite a WTI value greater than 0.8. In conclusion, quantitative analysis of regional wall thickening by electrocardiographic-gated SESTAMIBI identifies segments with reversible perfusion defects; this may overcome the need for studies at rest and may direct the detection of hypoperfused but viable myocardium.
authors.affiliation: Rehabilitation Center, Cardiologic Department, Veruno Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Marcassa
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Marzullo
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sambuceti
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Parodi
mesh_terms: D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006321:Heart / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009200:Myocardial Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D017256:Technetium Tc 99m Sestamibi
chemical_list: D017256:Technetium Tc 99m Sestamibi