Imaging characteristics of a novel technetium Tc 99m-labeled platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor antagonist in patients With acute deep vein thrombosis or a history of deep vein thrombosis.
BACKGROUND
The diagnosis of recurrent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is challenging. Imaging with radiolabeled peptides offers a new approach for detecting acute DVT. Technetium Tc 99m ((99m)Tc)-apcitide binds with high affinity and specificity to the glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptors expressed on activated platelets and, therefore, (99m)Tc-apcitide scintigraphy should be negative with residual abnormalities caused by old, inactive thrombi and positive with new, active thrombi.


METHODS
In a prospective multicenter study, (99m)Tc-apcitide imaging was performed on 38 patients with a newly diagnosed first DVT (group 1) and 40 patients with previous DVT, symptoms of postthrombotic syndrome, and chronic intraluminal abnormalities on ultrasonography (group 2). Images were interpreted in a blinded fashion by 2 experts and by newly trained nuclear medicine physicians. The sensitivity and specificity of (99m)Tc-apcitide were determined by calculating the proportion of scans in group 1 patients that were read as "positive for acute DVT" and the proportion of scans in group 2 patients that were read as "negative for acute DVT," respectively.


RESULTS
When read by 2 experts, ( 99m)Tc-apcitide had a sensitivity of 92% for both readers and specificities of 82% and 90%. Agreement between the experts was excellent. However, the accuracy and interreader agreement for newly trained nuclear medicine physicians were lower.


CONCLUSIONS
Technetium Tc 99m-apcitide scintigraphy has potential utility in suspected recurrent DVT because it detects most acute thrombi and has few false-positive results in patients with previous DVT. However, the accuracy appears to depend on the training and experience of the interpreters.
Bates
Shannon M
SM
Thromboembolism Unit Office, HSC 3W11, Department of Medicine, McMaster University Medical Centre, 1200 Main St W, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8N 3Z5. batesm@mcmaster.ca
Lister-James
John
J
Julian
Jim A
JA
Taillefer
Raymond
R
Moyer
Brian R
BR
Ginsberg
Jeffrey S
JS
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015609:Organotechnetium Compounds; D010456:Peptides, Cyclic; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D012008:Recurrence; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*
D015609:Organotechnetium Compounds; D010456:Peptides, Cyclic; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; C094919:technetium Tc 99m P280