Comparison of Tc-99m sestamibi SPECT with fractional flow reserve in patients with intermediate coronary artery stenoses.

Background: Myocardial single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is an established noninvasive method for the assessment of the functional significance of coronary artery stenoses. Intracoronary pressure measurements to determine fractional flow reserve (FFR) are increasingly performed during coronary angiography whenever an immediate decision regarding possible intervention is required. We hypothesized that the regional summed difference score (SDSr), reflecting reversible perfusion defects in the myocardial supply area of the FFR target vessel, would be the best predictor of an abnormal FFR in patients without prior myocardial infarction.

Dobutamine myocardial scintigraphy for the prediction of cardiac events after heart transplantation.

Background: The long-term outcome after heart transplantation (HTx) is essentially influenced by the occurrence and extent of cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV). Single photon emission computed tomography-myocardial perfusion imaging (SPECT-MPI) has been shown to be a useful and cost-effective non-invasive method in patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease, but its role in detecting CAV remains unclear.

Aim: To evaluate the accuracy and predictive value of dobutamine MPI in patients after HTx during a 12-month follow-up.

Relationship between right ventricular ejection fraction and maximum exercise oxygen consumption: a methodological study in chronic heart failure patients.

Background: Peak oxygen consumption at maximum exercise (peak VO(2)) predicts survival in chronic heart failure (CHF) patients. Right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) at rest has been reported to correlate with peak VO(2). We evaluated the strength and consistency of the association between peak VO(2) and RVEF measured by different radionuclide ventriculography (RNV) techniques in a prospective cohort study.

Early detection of myocardial microcirculatory disturbances after primary PTCA in patients with acute myocardial infarction: coronary blood flow velocity versus sestamibi perfusion imaging.

Background: The extent of myocardial salvage after primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is variable and can not be predicted on the basis of vessel patency. The aim of this study was to evaluate the tissue salvage and the microvascular integrity after successful intervention in AMI by coronary blood flow velocity and sestamibi perfusion imaging.

Methods: Twenty-two patients (17 m, 5f; mean age 57 +/- 14 yrs.