Single-photon emission computed tomography after nitrate administration predicts cardiac events in patients with previous myocardial infarction and left ventricular dysfunction.

Background: We determined the impact of viability assessment by nitrate single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) on cardiac events during long-term follow-up in patients with previous myocardial infarction, impaired left ventricular (LV) function, and no evidence of inducible ischemia.

Methods And Results: Sestamibi SPECT after nitrate was performed in 93 medically treated patients with previous myocardial infarction and LV dysfunction (ejection fraction < 40%). Viability was defined as > or = 2 dysfunctional segments with preserved tracer uptake (> or = 55% of peak activity).

Estimation of coronary flow reserve by sestamibi imaging in type 2 diabetic patients with normal coronary arteries.

Background: We assessed coronary flow reserve (CFR) by sestamibi imaging in patients with type 2 diabetes without coronary artery disease and normal coronary vessels.

Methods And Results: Dipyridamole/rest technetium 99m sestamibi imaging was performed in 33 patients with type 2 diabetes without a history of coronary artery disease and normal coronary vessels at angiography and in 12 control subjects. Myocardial blood flow (MBF) was estimated by measuring first-transit counts in the pulmonary artery and myocardial counts from tomographic images.

Assessment of coronary flow reserve by sestamibi imaging in patients with typical chest pain and normal coronary arteries.

Purpose: We assessed coronary flow reserve (CFR) by sestamibi imaging in patients with typical chest pain, positive exercise stress test and normal coronary vessels.

Methods: Thirty-five patients with typical chest pain and normal angiogram and 12 control subjects with atypical chest pain underwent dipyridamole/rest (99m)Tc-sestamibi imaging. Myocardial blood flow (MBF) was estimated by measuring first transit counts in the pulmonary artery and myocardial counts from SPECT images.

Comparison of the prognostic value of SPECT after nitrate administration and metabolic imaging by PET in patients with ischaemic left ventricular dysfunction.

Purpose: We compared the prognostic value of 99mTc-tetrofosmin single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) after nitrate administration and positron emission tomography (PET) with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) in patients with ischaemic left ventricular (LV) dysfunction.

Methods: Eighty-nine patients with previous myocardial infarction and LV dysfunction (LV ejection fraction 33 +/- 10%) underwent 99mTc-tetrofosmin SPECT under control conditions (baseline) and after sublingual administration of 10 mg of isosorbide dinitrate (nitrate). Within 1 week, all patients underwent PET imaging with 18F-FDG.

Cardiovascular, anthropometric and neurocognitive features of healthy postmenopausal women: effects of hormone replacement therapy.

Unlabelled: Randomized clinical trials have not shown long-term benefit of postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy (PHT) nor have they shown conclusively that the harmful consequences outweighs the benefits of the treatment. Rather, it is possible that an individualized hormone replacement therapy in questionably clinically healthy postmenopausal women may lead to different results than randomized trials.

Design: In this cross-sectional study we evaluated anthropometric parameters, body composition, serum lipids, blood pressure, heart rate variability (HRV) and neurocognitive functions in 39 healthy postmenopausal women PHT users or not users (n=13, age 53.

Relationship between brachial artery flow-mediated dilation and coronary flow reserve in patients with peripheral artery disease.

Unlabelled: The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and coronary flow reserve (CFR) in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD).

Methods: Thirty patients who had PAD, who showed no cardiac symptoms, and who had normal stress SPECT cardiac imaging results and 28 control subjects underwent brachial artery FMD assessment by ultrasound and dipyridamole 99mTc-sestamibi imaging. Myocardial blood flow (MBF) was estimated by measuring first-transit counts in the pulmonary artery and myocardial counts from SPECT images.

Estimation of coronary flow reserve by Tc-99m sestamibi imaging in patients with coronary artery disease: comparison with the results of intracoronary Doppler technique.

Background: This study compared coronary flow reserve (CFR) estimated by technetium 99m sestamibi imaging with the results obtained with intracoronary Doppler in patients with coronary artery disease. Intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility of the radionuclide-estimated CFR was also assessed.

Methods And Results: Fourteen consecutive patients (mean age, 54 +/- 7 years) with documented coronary artery disease in whom percutaneous coronary intervention was planned underwent dipyridamole (0.

Tc-99m tetrofosmin tomography after nitrate administration in patients with ischemic left ventricular dysfunction: relation to metabolic imaging by PET.

Background: In patients with ischemic left ventricular (LV) dysfunction, myocardial perfusion imaging after nitrate administration may improve the identification of dysfunctional but viable myocardium. This study was designed to assess the relationship between tetrofosmin uptake after nitrate administration and metabolic activity as assessed by positron emission tomography (PET) in patients with ischemic LV dysfunction.

Methods And Results: Thirty-six patients with chronic myocardial infarction and LV dysfunction (ejection fraction, 35% +/- 6%) underwent resting technetium 99m tetrofosmin single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging under control conditions (baseline) and after sublingual administration of 10 mg isosorbide dinitrate.