Optimization of a protocol for myocardial perfusion scintigraphy by using an anthropomorphic phantom.
OBJECTIVE
To develop a study aiming at optimizing myocardial perfusion imaging.


METHODS
Imaging of an anthropomorphic thorax phantom with a GE SPECT Ventri gamma camera, with varied activities and acquisition times, in order to evaluate the influence of these parameters on the quality of the reconstructed medical images. The (99m)Tc-sestamibi radiotracer was utilized, and then the images were clinically evaluated on the basis of data such as summed stress score, and on the technical image quality and perfusion. The software ImageJ was utilized in the data quantification.


RESULTS
The results demonstrated that for the standard acquisition time utilized in the procedure (15 seconds per angle), the injected activity could be reduced by 33.34%. Additionally, even if the standard scan time is reduced by 53.34% (7 seconds per angle), the standard injected activity could still be reduced by 16.67%, without impairing the image quality and the diagnostic reliability.


CONCLUSIONS
The described method and respective results provide a basis for the development of a clinical trial of patients in an optimized protocol.
Biomedical Researcher, Master in Radioprotection and Dosimetry, Instituto de Radioproteção e Dosimetria / Comissão Nacional de Energia Nuclear (IRD/CNEN), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
Susie Medeiros Oliveira
SM
Ramos
Master in Cardiology, Nuclear Cardiologist, Clínica de Diagnóstico Por Imagem (CDPI/DASA), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
Adriana Pereira
AP
Glavam
Master, Medical Physicist specialized in Images Post-processing and Nuclear Medicine, Clínica de Diagnóstico Por Imagem (CDPI/DASA), Hospital Unimed Rio and Phys RAD, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
Tadeu Takao Almodovar
TT
Kubo
PhD, Senior Technologist, Instituto de Radioproteção e Dosimetria / Comissão Nacional de Energia Nuclear (IRD/CNEN), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
Lidia Vasconcellos
LV
de Sá
Anthropomorphic phantom; Myocardial perfusion imaging; Optimization