Image-derived input function from cardiac gated maximum a posteriori reconstructed PET images in mice.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine if accurate image-derived input functions (IDIF) can be measured from cardiac gated positron emission tomography (PET) images reconstructed using ordered subset expectation maximization-maximum a posteriori (OSEM-MAP) without further correction.


METHODS
IDIFs from the left ventricle were measured from cardiac gated PET images reconstructed using OSEM-MAP with computed tomography (CT)-based attenuation correction for five C57/BL6 mice. The accuracy of the IDIF was tested against blood samples using Bland-Altman analysis.


RESULTS
Image-derived blood radioactivity concentration values were not significantly different from sampled blood values at two late time points as determined by a paired t test (P = 0.97). Bland-Altman analysis revealed a mean difference of 0.06 μCi/ml (1%). Using kinetic analysis, the mean myocardial 2-deoxy-2-[(18)F]fluoro-D-glucose uptake rate constant based on the IDIF was comparable to values reported in the literature based on physical blood sampling.


CONCLUSIONS
Accurate IDIFs can be obtained non-invasively. Although reconstruction times are increased, no further spillover corrections are necessary for IDIFs derived from gated, OSEM-MAP reconstructed images with attenuation correction.
Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Virginia, P.O. Box 801339, 480 Ray C Hunt Drive, Snyder Building, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA.
Landon W
LW
Locke
Stuart S
SS
Berr
Bijoy K
BK
Kundu
D000818:Animals; D055424:Cardiac-Gated Imaging Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D006321:Heart / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000379:methods*
D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18