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Myocardial infarct imaging with technetium-99m phosphates.

Technetium-99m-phosphate imaging is particularly valuable in detecting (1) small transmural infarcts (3 g and larger in size); (2) new acute transmural infarcts in or near regions of old infarction; (3) acute subendocardial infarcts (larger than 3 g in size); (4) acute infarction in patients with left bundle branch block; and (5) perioperative myocardial infarction. Localization of inferior and posterior myocardial infarction is improved with imaging. Sizing of acute anterior and lateral infarcts has been accurately done in dogs and should prove helpful in patients. Extensive evaluation in both experimental animals and in patients has shown 99mTc-phosphate myocardial imaging to be a useful clinical tool, and it may be one of the most sensitive noninvasive ways presently available to identify acute myocardial necrosis. It is important to understand that 99mTc-phosphate imaging has a different pathophysiology basis from EKG's or serum enzymes. These tests do not compete but instead should complement one another.

Acute Disease↗

Is there life after technetium: what is the potential for developing new broad-based radionuclides?

The use of radionuclides for medical and for a multitude of other basic research applications has continued to grow at a very rapid pace. Procedures, based on their use as radiotracers for nuclear medicine imaging and for radiotherapy of cancer and other pathology, have become firmly established as important clinical modalities. It is estimated that on an annual basis in the United States alone, radionuclides are used medically in over 13 million imaging procedures, in over 100 million laboratory tests, and in an ever increasing number (> 100,000) for therapeutic administrations. One out of every four hospital patients undergoes a procedure that involves the use of radionuclides. Diagnostic imaging methods using planar/single-photon emission computed tomography and positron-emission tomography (PET) imaging, as well as the measurement of in vivo organ function, physiology, or biochemistry, have become indispensable tools in patient workup and management. More than 80% of all imaging studies (mostly anatomic) currently use technetium-99m (99mTc), because it has turned out to be the ideal isotope from various considerations. However, over the past few years, nuclear medicine has experienced a slow but steady evolution towards functional studies, quantitative PET imaging, and novel therapeutic approaches. New radionuclides are required for these applications, and their development has attracted considerable interest. This article reviews the current status and future prospects for the development of many new potential isotopes. Practical issues, such as the feasibility of large-scale production and wide-spread availability in a continuous reliable fashion, are addressed. To date, the data are not sufficient to answer the question as to whether any of these radionuclides (or their applications, for that matter) will eventually assume as broad-based a role as that of 99mTc. Nonetheless, there are a number of promising radionuclides that could assume an important place in the future practice of nuclear medicine.

Gamma Rays↗

Correlation of regional wall motion abnormalities detected by two-dimensional echocardiography with perfusion defect determined by technetium 99m sestamibi imaging in patients treated with reperfusion therapy during acute myocardial infarction.

Twenty patients (13 men and 7 women; mean age 61 +/- 12 years) with > 30 minutes chest pain and new ST-segment elevation who were treated with reperfusion therapy underwent technetium 99m sestamibi imaging and two-dimensional echocardiography simultaneously before and within 2 hours of each test after acute reperfusion therapy. Nine patients had anterior wall myocardial infarction. Fifteen patients were initially treated with intravenous thrombolytic agents, and five patients underwent urgent percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. Both myocardial perfusion defect and wall motion score index (WMSI) improved after reperfusion therapy (perfusion defect from 28% to 15%, WMSI from 1.68 to 1.45, respectively; p < 0.005). The overall correlation between WMSI and perfusion defect as a measure of myocardium at risk was significant during the acute phase (r = 0.71) and at hospital dismissal (r = 0.71). Thus myocardial perfusion defect and wall motion abnormalities correlated fairly well in patients with acute myocardial infarction during the acute phase and at predismissal study.

Adult↗

Dipyridamole technetium-99m sestamibi myocardial tomography in patients evaluated for elective vascular surgery: prognostic value for perioperative and late cardiac events.

Dipyridamole thallium-201 myocardial imaging can provide information regarding risk of perioperative cardiac events in patients being considered for vascular surgery. The value for this purpose of myocardial imaging with technetium-99m sestamibi (MIBI), a radiotracer with biokinetic and imaging properties different from thallium-201, has not been established. To this end the prognostic value of dipyridamole MIBI tomography for perioperative and late cardiac events was evaluated in 229 consecutive patients being considered for elective vascular surgery. Vascular surgery was done < or = 3 months after testing in 197 of these patients. Perioperative cardiac events (cardiac death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, unstable angina, or ischemic pulmonary edema) occurred in 9 (5%) patients. The rate of such events was 3% in patients with normal MIBI results, 5% in those with abnormal results, and 6% in patients with a reversible MIBI defect (both p = NS). When patients with abnormal MIBI results who had preoperative cardiac interventions (coronary revascularization or an increase in antiischemic medical therapy) were compared with with those who did not, no significant differences in the occurrence of perioperative cardiac events were found between these two groups either. A group of 172 medically treated patients who survived vascular surgery and did not have a nonfatal perioperative cardiac event was then monitored (mean 21 +/- 14 months) for the occurrence of a serious late cardiac event (nonfatal myocardial infarction or cardiac death). Event-free survival (Mantel-Cox) was significantly less in patients with abnormal studies compared with those with normal scan results. Late cardiac events occurred in 26 (15%) patients, with those having an abnormal MIBI result showing a significantly greater event rate than those with normal results (26% vs 4%, p < 0.0001). The rate of late cardiac events was 33% in patients with a reversible MIBI defect (p < 0.001) and 23% in those with a fixed defect (p < 0.03). Independent Cox multivariable predictors of increased risk of late cardiac events were a history of diabetes mellitus (relative risk [RR] 2.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.0 to 4.9), an abnormal MIBI study (RR 3.7, 95% CI 1.2 to 11.4), and a reversible MIBI defect (RR 2.7, 95% CI 1.2 to 6.1). We conclude that, although its ability to assess increased perioperative cardiac risk remains uncertain, dipyridamole MIBI tomography does provide important prognostic information regarding the risk of serious cardiac events in patients having vascular surgery. The presence of an abnormal MIBI result, specifically one demonstrating a reversible perfusion defect, is associated with significantly increased risk.

Aged↗

Dipyridamole technetium 99m sestamibi myocardial tomography for preoperative cardiac risk stratification before major or minor nonvascular surgery.

The value of dipyridamole technetium 99m sestamibi (MIBI) tomography for preoperative cardiac risk stratification was assessed in 285 consecutive patients being considered for nonvascular surgery. A "major" (n = 140) or "minor" (n = 89) nonvascular procedure was later done in 229 of these patients < or = 4 months after dipyridamole testing. Perioperative cardiac events (unstable angina, acute ischemic pulmonary edema, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or cardiac death) occurred in 11 (8%) patients undergoing major nonvascular surgery and 1 (1%) undergoing a minor procedure. The only clinical or scintigraphic variables associated with significantly increased perioperative cardiac risk in patients having major surgery were Goldman class > or = II, an abnormal MIBI scan, and a fixed perfusion defect. In these patients, cardiac events occurred in 1% of those who had a normal MIBI study, 14% of those with an abnormal scan (p < 0.01), 12% with a reversible MIBI defect (p = 0.29), and 17% with a fixed MIBI defect (p < 0.01). In the 60 patients whose Goldman class was > or = II, only an abnormal MIBI study and a fixed perfusion defect were associated with incremental risk of a perioperative cardiac event. The incidence of perioperative cardiac events in these patients was 4% with a normal MIBI scan, 27% with an abnormal study (p < 0.05), 24% with a reversible MIBI defect (p = 0.45), and 37% with a fixed defect (p < 0.01). Event rates were low in patients having minor nonvascular surgery; none of the 25 with a normal MIBI study and only 1 of the 64 with an abnormal scan had a perioperative cardiac event (p = not significant (NS). We conclude that dipyridamole MIBI tomography can provide important prognostic information in patients having major nonvascular surgery. A normal MIBI study indicates a low risk of perioperative cardiac events, whereas an abnormal study in patients with Goldman class > or = II undergoing major surgery is associated with significantly increased risk. The prognostic value of MIBI tomography in patients at low clinical risk undergoing minor surgery is limited.

Aged↗

Relation of gender to physician use of test results and to the prognostic value of stress technetium 99m sestamibi myocardial single-photon emission computed tomography scintigraphy.

We analyzed potential gender differences in the use and prognostic value of stress technetium 99m sestamibi tomography, image results, and cardiac event rates over a period of 15 +/- 8 months in 1226 men and 1151 women. Men had more abnormal tomographic images, but referral for catheterization and revascularization similarly increased in relation to the number of defects. Men and women with abnormal images had similar event rates, 19.6% and 18.2%, respectively, although men more often had myocardial infarction or cardiac death (7.6% vs 4.1 %, p < 0.05), whereas women had an increased likelihood of unstable angina or congestive heart failure (11.5% vs 7.6%, p < 0.05). Normal images predicted a low yearly rate of myocardial infarction or death: 1.7% for men and 0.8% for women. Image findings, particularly defect extent, were independent predictors of events in both groups. Thus, after stress Tc-99m sestamibi single-photon emission computed tomography perfusion imaging, there was no gender bias in referral for invasive procedures, and for both men and women image findings were strongly associated with prognostic outcome.

Angina Pectoris↗

Safety of early intravenous dipyridamole technetium 99m sestamibi SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging after uncomplicated first myocardial infarction. Early Post MI IV Dipyridamole Study (EPIDS).

We assessed the safety of early (2 to 4 days) intravenous dipyridamole infusion in conjunction with technetium 99m sestamibi tomographic myocardial perfusion imaging in patients with first myocardial infarction (MI). Early risk stratification with myocardial perfusion imaging of patients after acute MI may be useful to identify patients who either require further evaluation or may be safely discharged. Because of minimal hemodynamic effects, intravenous dipyridamole may be a safe means of producing hyperemia for myocardial perfusion imaging. Stable patients with first acute MI who met entry criteria were randomized (3:1) to either intravenous dipyridamole infusion (0.56 mg/kg over a 4-minute period) 48 to 96 hours after onset of symptoms or a control (no test) group. Adverse cardiac events (unstable angina, recurrent MI, or cardiac death) were evaluated during and 24 hours after the dipyridamole infusion and during the corresponding 24 hours for the control group. Two hundred eighty-four patients received dipyridamole infusion a mean time of 3.3 +/- 0.7 days after MI. There were no adverse clinical events either during or immediately after the infusion. During the 24 hours after infusion, three patients had symptoms of unstable angina pectoris, one patient had a recurrent MI, and no patients died. The earliest event occurred 4.2 hours after the dipyridamole infusion. Three patients had unstable angina pectoris, whereas no patients had either recurrent MI or died in the control group. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups. In a multicenter trial, dipyridamole infusion administered early after the first acute MI resulted in no increased evidence of cardiac events either immediately or 24 hours after the procedure compared with a control group. Therefore intravenous dipyridamole can be safely used as a pharmacologic vasodilator for myocardial perfusion imaging soon after uncomplicated MI.

Angina, Unstable↗

Risk stratification with pre-hospital discharge exercise technetium-99m sestamibi myocardial tomography in men after acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Exercise thallium-201 imaging early after acute myocardial infarction (MI) may provide information concerning risk of future cardiac events. The prognostic value of exercise technetium-99m sestamibi (MIBI) single-photon emission computed tomography in such patients has not been established. METHODS AND RESULTS: Submaximal exercise stress testing with MIBI tomography was done before hospital discharge in 134 consecutive men after acute MI. Patients were monitored for occurrence of late cardiac events (nonfatal MI or cardiac death). Coronary revascularization was done in 31 patients (23%) < or = 3 months after testing. Nonfatal MI or cardiac death occurred in 30 (23%) of the overall group of 133 patients monitored (mean 35+/-19 months) and in 25 (25%) of the 102 patients treated medically. A history of congestive heart failure, failure to reach 85% of age-predicted maximal heart rate, and an isolated fixed MIBI defect were associated with significantly increased risk (p < 0.05) of a late cardiac event in both groups of patients. A reversible MIBI defect was not associated with increased risk. In a multivariable Cox proportional hazards model, only a history of congestive heart failure (relative risk 4.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.7 to 10.4, p < 0.002) and an isolated fixed MIBI defect (relative risk 2.1, 95% CI 1.1 to 4.3, p < 0.05) were independent predictors of increased risk in the total group of 133 patients. In the 102 patients treated medically, only a history of congestive heart failure (relative risk 4.9, 95% CI 1.9 to 13.1) and achievement of 85% of age-predicted maximal heart rate (relative risk 0.13, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.9) were independent predictors of risk. CONCLUSIONS: Early post-MI submaximal exercise testing with MIBI tomography provides limited prognostic information for late cardiac events. An isolated fixed MIBI defect is associated with increased risk but not as strongly as other variables, particularly a history of congestive heart failure.

Adult↗

Comparison of baseline and low-dose dobutamine technetium-99m sestamibi scintigraphy with low-dose dobutamine echocardiography for predicting functional recovery after revascularization.

Injection of sestamibi during low-dose dobutamine (LDD) infusion might improve tracer ability to detect viable myocardium. This study investigated the potential value of LDD technetium-99m sestamibi (sestamibi) single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) in predicting functional recovery after revascularization by comparing its results with those of sestamibi SPECT at rest and of LDD echocardiography. Before revascularization, 23 patients with chronic coronary artery disease and regional left ventricular dysfunction underwent sestamibi SPECT at rest and, on a separate day, LDD echocardiography and sestamibi SPECT with tracer injection during LDD infusion. Echocardiography at rest was repeated after revascularization. Semiquantitative sestamibi uptake results (grading from 0 = normal to 4 = absent) and wall motion (grading from 1 = normal to 4 = dyskinesia) were evaluated with a 16-segment model. The ventricular wall was divided into 3 vascular territories. At follow-up, 20 of 32 asynergic vascular territories showed functional recovery, whereas 12 showed no changes. For prediction of functional recovery, LDD SPECT achieved better accuracy than SPECT at rest (87% vs 65%, p <0.05); positive and negative predictive values of LDD SPECT were 90% and 83%, respectively, which was not significantly different from the related LDD echocardiographic values (84% and 69%). Thus, LDD sestamibi SPECT appears to be a promising method for detecting myocardial viability, which provides better accuracy than sestamibi SPECT at rest, and achieves predictive values comparable to those of LDD echocardiography.

Aged↗

Prediction of functional recovery in patients with chronic coronary artery disease and left ventricular dysfunction combining the evaluation of myocardial perfusion and of contractile reserve using nitrate-enhanced technetium-99m sestamibi gated single-photon emission computed tomography and dobutamine stress.

This study aimed to assess whether contractile reserve evaluation using dobutamine gated single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) improves the capability of quantitative perfusion analysis to predict functional recovery of viable hibernating myocardium. Resting and dobutamine nitrate-enhanced technetium-99m sestamibi (sestamibi) gated SPECT studies were performed in patients with coronary artery disease who had left ventricular dysfunction. Tracer activity was quantified, and wall motion and thickening visually scored. Reversible dysfunction was identified with gated SPECT repeated after coronary revascularization. Using the best activity threshold, perfusion quantification achieved 85% sensitivity and 55% specificity. Contractile reserve detection was significantly less sensitive (64%, p <0.0005), but more specific (88%, p <0.00001) than perfusion quantification. However, in the subgroup of hypokinetic segments, the sensitivity of contractile reserve assessment was just slightly lower than perfusion quantification (72% vs 91%, p = NS), whereas specificity was significantly higher (94% vs 23%, p <0.00001). Conversely, in the adyskinetic segments, perfusion quantification was significantly more sensitive than contractile reserve (82% vs 59%, p <0.005), but similarly specific (76% vs 85%, p = NS). Therefore, the identification of reversible dysfunction based on perfusion quantification in adyskinetic segments and on contractile reserve detection in hypokinetic segments was significantly more specific (83% vs 55%, p <0.00001) than standard quantitative perfusion SPECT, without major loss in sensitivity (78% vs 85%, p = NS). In conclusion, contractile reserve evaluation using dobutamine gated SPECT enhances the reliability of nitrate-enhanced sestamibi SPECT when used to predict reversible dysfunction in hypokinetic segments, whereas perfusion quantification remains superior in adyskinetic segments.

Aged↗

Limited clinical diagnostic specificity of technetium-99m stannous pyrophosphate myocardial imaging in acute myocardial infarction.

To test the sensitivity and specificity of technetium-99m stannous pyrophosphate myocardial imaging in the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction, myocardial scintigrams were performed in 115 patients. Positive scintigrams were found in all 48 patients with acute myocardial infarction; uptake was localized in 29 patients with transmural infarction and diffuse in 2 patients with transmural infarction and in the remaining 17 patients with subendocardial myocardial infarction. Positive scintigrams were also found in 31 of 67 patients without clinical evidence of acute myocardial infarction. Diffusely positive scintigrams were found in 3 of 3 patients with unstable angina pectoris, 7 of 30 patients with stable angina pectoris, 4 of 13 patients who had undergone aortocoronary bypass surgery, 4 of 4 patients with congestive cardiomyopathy and 1 patient studied 1 day after direct current cardioversion. Localized uptake of 99mTc-pyrophosphate was found in 9 of 10 patients with left ventricular aneurysm and in 3 of 13 patients after aortocoronary bypass surgery. All four patients with atypical chest pain and two patients with pericarditis had normal scintigrams. Our data confirm the previously reported sensitivity of 99mTc-pyrophosphate imaging in detection of acute myocardial infarction but indicate that positive scintigrams are not specific for this entity.

Adult↗

Mechanisms contributing to myocardial accumulation of technetium-99m stannous pyrophosphate after coronary arterial occlusion.

The relation between the accumulation of pyrophosphate and technetium-99m in myocardium with reversible and irreversible ischmic injury was studied in dogs subjected to transitory or persistent coronary arterial occlusion. Among four dogs with coronary occlusion maintained for less than 20 minutes, none had either increased MB creatine kinase (CK) (the "myocardial" CK isoenzyme) activity serum or a positive 99mTc stannous pyrophosphate image. Seven dogs with coronary occlusion maintained for 30 or more minutes had elevated serum MB CK activity, and five of the seven had positive (abnormal) images. Thus, although false negative images may occur occasionally despite myocardial damage, both increased serum MB CK and abnormal images generally accompanied prolonged coronary occlusion. In contrast, ischemia without infarction was not associated with abnormal images. Both 99mTc and 32P labeled pyrophosphate were accumulated extensively and proportionally in myocardium from zones of infarction, and uptake of both tracers was comparable although modest in isolated mitochondria. Similar results were obtained after myocardial infarction in animals with induced profound leukopenia. Thus, phagocytosis of the radiopharmaceutical agent by leukocytes migrating into the infarct is not an essential mechanism accounting for uptake. These results indicate that abnormal images reflect uptake of pyrophosphate, associated with 99mTc, by irreversibly injured myocardium rather than leukocytic infiltration involved in the inflammatory response in the heart.

Animals↗

Technetium-99m stannous pyrophosphate scintigrams in normal subjects, patients with exercise-induced ischemia and patients with a calcified valve.

Although technetium-99m stannous (99mTc[Sn]) pyrophosphate has been shown to be a specific and sensitive index of myocardial infarction, abnormal images have been reported in patients with unstable angina or ventricular aneurysm. Sixty-one subjects--33 patients subjected to maximal treadmill stress testing, 23 normal subjects and 5 patients with a calcified aortic or mitral valve--underwent imaging with 99mTc(Sn) pyrophosphate to determine whether abnormal images are associated with (1) exercise-induced ischemia, (2) delayed clearance of tracer from the blood pool, or (3) calcified intracardiac structures. Myocardial injury was excluded on the basis of normal MB creatine kinase (CK) values in all patients with stress testing. All eight patients with an abnormal exercise stress test had normal images. Four of 25 patients with a normal exercise stress test had diffusely abnormal images. In some normal subjects diffusely abnormal images were present 60 minutes after injection of the tracer, but became normal 90 to 120 minutes after injection. Variations in clearance of tracer from the blood pool were noted in this group. Patients with a calcified aortic or mitral valve had normal images. We conclude that (1) exercise-induced ischemia is not associated with abnormal 99mTC(SN) pyrophosphate images; (2) images are not necessarily abnormal in patients with a calcified valve; and (3) delayed removal of tracer from the cardiac blood pool may result in diffusely abnormal images even in normal subjects; in these cases, repeat images should be obtained at least 2 hours after injection of the tracer to avoid false abnormal images.

Adult↗

Relation between perfusion defects on stress technetium-99m sestamibi SPECT scintigraphy and the location of a subsequent acute myocardial infarction.

Although the presence of perfusion defects on stress myocardial perfusion imaging has been shown to correlate with future cardiac events, including acute myocardial infarction (AMI), it is unknown whether the location of the AMI can be predicted. Therefore, for 25 patients who had an AMI following a stress technetium-99m sestamibi single-photon emission computed tomographic (SPECT) imaging study and whose infarct location could be determined, the territory of infarction was correlated with the location of previous myocardial perfusion defects. A SPECT perfusion defect had been present in 24 patients (96%). The AMI occurred in territories that showed a reversible defect in 14 patients (56%), whereas 3 infarctions (12%) were in territories that revealed a fixed defect, and 8 infarctions (32%) were in territories that had not shown a defect on prior SPECT imaging. Whereas the incidence of infarction in territories with a reversible defect was highest at 14 of 26 (54%), the incidence of infarction in territories with a fixed defect was 3 of 7 (43%), and in territories with no defect was 8 of 42 (19%) (p = 0.011). Neither the time interval between SPECT imaging and infarction, nor the perfusion defect severity, was related to the correlation between perfusion defect and infarct location. Thus, although AMI occurs most often at the site of previous perfusion defects, reversible or fixed, a substantial percentage occur in territories without a perfusion defect. These findings suggest that abnormalities on SPECT perfusion imaging, although they serve as markers of significant coronary disease and increase the likelihood of infarction, do not always predict the exact location of infarction.

Aged↗

Cost-saving approach to normal technetium-99m sestamibi myocardial perfusion scan.

We conducted a 1-year follow-up of 116 patients with normal poststress technetium-99m sestamibi without images at rest. Although 2 patients with proven coronary artery disease needed cardiac intervention, no patient suffered cardiac mortality or myocardial infarction, suggesting that early interpretation of normal poststress images without images at rest may imply an excellent prognosis for at least 1 year.

Coronary Disease↗

Comparison of dobutamine stress echocardiography and 99m-technetium sestamibi SPECT myocardial perfusion scintigraphy for predicting extent of coronary artery disease in patients with healed myocardial infarction.

This study compares the value of dobutamine stress echocardiography and 99m-technetium methoxyisobutyl-isonitrile (MIBI) single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) in the assessment of extent and location of coronary narrowing in patients with healed myocardial infarction. Dobutamine (up to 40 microg/kg/ min)-atropine (up to 1 mg) stress echocardiography (DSE) in conjunction with MIBI SPECT was performed in 72 patients (52 men, mean age 57 +/- 11 years) with healed myocardial infarction referred for evaluation of myocardial ischemia. Ischemia was defined as new or worsened wall motion abnormalities at DSE and reversible perfusion defects at MIBI SPECT. Significant stenosis (> or = 50% luminal diameter stenosis) of the infarct-related artery was detected in 45 patients and of other coronary arteries in 22 patients. Sensitivity and specificity of remote ischemia for diagnosis of remote coronary stenosis were 68% (95% confidence interval [CI] 57 to 80) and 93% (CI 86 to 99) for DSE, and 64% (CI 52 to 76), and 90% (CI 83 to 98) for MIBI SPECT, respectively. The positive predictive value and specificity of peri-infarction ischemia for the diagnosis of infarct-related artery stenosis were 89% (CI 81 to 97) and 82% (CI 73 to 92) for DSE, and 87% (CI 79 to 95) and 82% (CI 73 to 92) for SPECT, respectively. The agreement between both techniques was higher for the diagnosis of remote than peri-infarction ischemia (84% vs 66%, p = 0.02). It is concluded that in patients with myocardial infarction undergoing dobutamine stress testing, both echocardiography and MIBI SPECT are clinically useful methods for the diagnosis of remote and infarct-related coronary artery stenosis.

Aged↗

Predicting adverse outcome with exercise SPECT technetium-99m sestamibi imaging in patients with suspected or known coronary artery disease.

The goal of this study was to determine the ability of exercise single-photon emission computed tomographic (SPECT) technetium-99m (Tc-99m) sestamibi imaging to predict adverse events in a population with a comparable distribution of men (n = 114) and women (n = 115). Consecutive patients referred for evaluation of chest pain syndrome, known coronary artery disease, or residual ischemia after acute myocardial infarction underwent imaging using a single-headed SPECT camera. Clinical readings were reviewed and scored by independent observers as normal or abnormal. Follow-up, defined as time from scanning until an event, late revascularization, or patient response averaged 19.2 +/- 5.2 months and was 90% complete (229 of 255 patients). Cardiac death and nonfatal infarction were corroborated by chart review or physician contact. Patients were excluded from analysis if a revascularization procedure was performed within 1 month of imaging. There were 172 patients with normal scans (67%) and 83 with abnormal scans (33%). Of the patients in whom followup was obtained, 2 of 155 with normal scans (0.8%/year) and 6 of 74 with abnormal scans (5.4%/year) had cardiac events. Statistical analysis using the Kaplan-Meier survival curves suggests a significant difference in event-free survival between normal and abnormal scans. Patients with abnormal scans portended a worse outcome (chi-square = 8.04, p <0.005). Thus, exercise SPECT Tc-99m sestamibi scintigraphy is useful for prognostication in a mixed population of patients with suspected or known coronary artery disease in which women comprised 50% of the patient cohort.

Adult↗

Prognostic importance of scintigraphic left ventricular cavity dilation during intravenous dipyridamole technetium-99m sestamibi myocardial tomographic imaging in predicting coronary events.

Left ventricular (LV) cavity dilation during stress myocardial perfusion imaging has been associated with multivessel disease, and may be an independent prognostic marker in addition to perfusion defects. The present study examines the predictive value for future cardiac events of transient or fixed LV dilation during dipyridamole technetium-99m (Tc-99m) sestamibi single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging. The study included 512 consecutive patients who underwent SPECT imaging with Tc-99m sestamibi after dipyridamole infusion. Transient LV dilation was seen in 70 patients (14%) and 74 had fixed cavity dilation (14%); cavity size was normal in 368 patients (72%). Each perfusion scan was classified as normal or abnormal, and if abnormal, defects were categorized as transient or fixed, and as small, medium, or large (depending upon the number of abnormal vascular territories). Events during a mean follow-up of 12.8 +/- 6.8 months were tabulated by direct review of hospital charts and death certificates. The cardiac event rate (cardiac death or nonfatal infarction) was 1.9% in patients with normal cavity size, 11.4% with transient LV dilation, and 13.5% with fixed LV dilation (p < 0.01). Compared with patients with normal cavity size, those with transient LV dilation were more likely to sustain a myocardial infarction (p < 0.01) and those with fixed dilation more frequently suffered cardiac death (p < 0.01) and hospitalization for heart failure (p < 0.01). The group with the highest risk had both a large perfusion defect and cavity dilation. By Cox proportional hazard regression analysis, both transient and fixed LV dilation were strong independent predictors of cardiac events. Transient or fixed LV dilation are commonly seen during dipyridamole Tc-99m sestamibi SPECT imaging (14% incidence for each) and are useful predictors of cardiac events.

Aged↗