High-efficiency SPECT MPI: comparison of automated quantification, visual interpretation, and coronary angiography.

Background: Recently introduced high-efficiency (HE) SPECT cameras with solid-state CZT detectors have been shown to decrease imaging time and reduce radiation exposure to patients. An automated, computer-derived quantification of HE MPI has been shown to correlate well with coronary angiography on one HE SPECT camera system (D-SPECT), but has not been compared to visual interpretation on any of the HE SPECT platforms.

Methods: Patients undergoing a clinically indicated Tc-99m sestamibi HE SPECT (GE Discovery 530c with supine and prone imaging) study over a 1-year period followed by a coronary angiogram within 2 months were included.

Reduction in occupational and patient radiation exposure from myocardial perfusion imaging: impact of stress-only imaging and high-efficiency SPECT camera technology.

Unlabelled: Recently introduced high-efficiency SPECT cameras have demonstrated the ability to reduce radiation exposure to patients undergoing myocardial perfusion imaging studies, especially when combined with stress-only imaging protocols. To date there have been no relevant studies examining the reduced occupational radiation exposure to medical staff. We sought to determine whether changes in stress myocardial perfusion imaging protocols and camera technology can reduce the occupational radiation exposure to the staff of a nuclear cardiology laboratory.

Reduced stress dose with rapid acquisition CZT SPECT MPI in a non-obese clinical population: comparison to coronary angiography.

Background: Cadmium Zinc Telluride (CZT) SPECT camera technology has the potential to reduce patient's radiation exposure and shorten imaging time. This study evaluated the correlation of low stress tracer dose, rapid CZT SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) to coronary angiography in a <200-lbs population to further validate its ability to achieve both goals while preserving diagnostic accuracy.

Methods: All patients who had a low-dose stress (≤15 mCi) Tc-99m sestamibi SPECT MPI study using a CZT camera (GE Discovery NM 530c) with 3- to 5-minute image acquisition over a 2-year period followed by a coronary angiogram within 2 months were included.

Comparison of high efficiency CZT SPECT MPI to coronary angiography.

Background: The recently introduced cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) SPECT cameras have the potential to reduce radiation exposure to patients and shorten imaging time. So far, there has been only one small study comparing the results of high efficiency CZT SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) to invasive coronary angiography.

Methods: All patients who had either a Tc-99m sestamibi or Tl-201 SPECT MPI study using a CZT camera (GE Discovery NM 530c) over a 1-year period followed by a coronary angiogram within 2 months were included.

Reduced isotope dose and imaging time with a high-efficiency CZT SPECT camera.

Background: In light of recent focus on diagnostic imaging, cardiac SPECT imaging needs to become a shorter test with lower radiation exposure to patients. Recently introduced Cadmium Zinc Telluride (CZT) cameras have the potential to achieve both goals.

Methods: During a 2-month period patients presenting for a Tc-99m sestamibi SPECT MPI study were imaged using a CZT camera using a low-dose rest-stress protocol (5 mCi rest and 15 mCi stress doses).