Impact of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system polymorphisms on myocardial perfusion: Correlations with myocardial single photon emission computed tomography-derived parameters.

Background: Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) has an important role in atherosclerosis. We investigated the effects of six RAAS gene polymorphisms on myocardial perfusion.

Methods And Results: We examined 810 patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) using stress-rest myocardial single-photon emission computed tomography.

Performance and safety profile of regadenoson myocardial perfusion imaging: first experience in Greece.

Objective: MPI can provide valuable information in the investigation of patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease. The stress component of the studies can be conducted with regadenoson, which was approved for clinical use in Greece in 2016. We investigated the performance and safety profile of regadenoson MPI based on our 7 months institutional experience.

Incremental prognostic value of 99mTc-tetrofosmin early poststress pulmonary uptake. Determination of the optimal cut-off value.

Objectives: To evaluate the incremental prognostic value of (99m)Tc-tetrofosmin early poststress lung/heart ratio (eLHR) and to assess the optimal cut-off value.

Materials And Methods: We studied 503 patients (aged 61.3 years/SD = 8.

Myocardial Perfusion SPECT Imaging in Patients after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most prevalent form of cardiovascular disease affecting about 13 million Americans, while more than one million percutaneous transluminal intervention (PCI) procedures are performed annually in the USA. The relative high occurrence of restenosis, despite stent implementation, seems to be the primary limitation of PCI. Over the last decades, single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI), has proven an invaluable tool for the diagnosis of CAD and patients' risk stratification, providing useful information regarding the decision about revascularization and is well suited to assess patients after intervention.

Long-term prognostic value of early poststress (99m)Tc-tetrofosmin lung uptake during exercise (SPECT) myocardial perfusion imaging.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the long-term prognostic value of early poststress lung/heart ratio (LHR) of (99m)Tc-tetrofosmin radioactivity.

Methods: We studied 276 patients (aged 62.2 + or - 8.

Incremental prognostic value of (99m)Tc-tetrofosmin myocardial SPECT after percutaneous coronary intervention.

Objective: Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty is a well-established therapeutic method in selected patients with coronary artery disease. The aim of this study was to assess the incremental prognostic value of technetium-99m ((99m)Tc)-tetrofosmin myocardial gated-single- photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) in asymptomatic patients after coronary artery stenting.

Methods: A total of 246 consecutive patients (aged 55.

Long-term prognostic value of Tc-99m tetrofosmin myocardial gated-SPECT imaging in asymptomatic patients after percutaneous coronary intervention.

Purpose: To evaluate the long-term prognostic value of Tc-99m tetrofosmin myocardial gated-SPECT in asymptomatic patients after coronary artery stenting.

Materials And Methods: We included 246 consecutive patients in the study. All patients underwent exercise gated-single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) myocardial imaging 5 to 7 months after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and were followed for a mean period of 8.

Radiopharmaceuticals in neurological and psychiatric disorders.

The development of functional brain nuclear medicine techniques and their application in the investigation of neuropsychiatric disorders, have contributed significantly in the illumination of the underlying pathophysiological processes of these disorders. Furthermore, Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) brain studies provide information in early diagnosis, differential diagnosis, development of new drugs, and monitoring the response to therapeutic management. SPECT and PET brain imaging require the use of radiopharmaceuticals that cross the intact Blood Brain Barrier (BBB).

Long-term prognostic value of heart-rate recovery after treadmill testing in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Background: Heart-rate recovery (HRR) is considered to be an independent predictor of cardiac and all-cause mortality. We examined the long-term prognostic value of HRR in patients suffering from diabetes mellitus.

Methods: In this study, we included 258 consecutive patients.

Evaluation of abnormal heart-rate recovery after exercise testing in patients with diabetes mellitus: correlation with myocardial SPECT and chronotropic parameters.

Objective: Diabetes is associated with abnormal function of the autonomic nervous system, while autonomic dysfunction is related to attenuated heart-rate recovery (HRR) after exercise testing. The purpose of this study was to test whether HRR could be a useful index of myocardial ischaemia in patients suffering from diabetes mellitus.

Methods: We included 206 consecutive patients in this study and excluded patients whose HRR value or the myocardial perfusion imaging could have been influenced by factors other than myocardial ischaemia.

Early post-stress pulmonary uptake of 99mTc tetrofosmin during exercise (SPECT) myocardial perfusion imaging: correlation with haemodynamic, perfusion and function parameters.

Objective: To test the association of early post-stress lung/heart ratio (LHR) of 99mTc tetrofosmin radioactivity with gated-SPECT findings and angiographic results.

Methods: We studied 158 consecutive patients, with stress/rest 99mTc tetrofosmin myocardial SPECT and coronary angiography. Rest scans were obtained as gated SPECT and the left ventricular ejection fraction and end diastolic volume were calculated.

Stress fracture of the ulnar styloid protuberance.

Stress fractures of the upper extremities are uncommon but can be a serious source of morbidity if not correctly diagnosed. We present a rare case of a 49-year-old female typist, who reported a 4-month history of a pain located in the region of the left lower ulnar epiphysis and extended to the left portion of the wrist. The patient did not mention any injury.

Abnormal heart rate recovery immediately after treadmill testing: correlation with clinical, exercise testing, and myocardial perfusion parameters.

Background: The increase in heart rate during exercise is considered to be attributed to sympathetic system activation combined with parasympathetic withdrawal. The prognostic importance of the chronotropic response to exercise and heart rate recovery 1 minute after exercise has already been established. The purpose of this study was to evaluate heart rate recovery as an index of myocardial ischemia, by correlating heart rate recovery with known parameters of myocardial ischemia.

Tc-99m tetrofosmin myocardial SPECT combined with a modified exercise protocol in an unusual case of steal phenomenon.

A 61-year-old diabetic woman was referred for myocardial perfusion single photon emission computed tomographic (SPECT) imaging 4 years after coronary artery bypass grafting to the left anterior descending (LAD) artery using a left internal mammary artery (LIMA) graft. She had 3 months' angina associated with fatigue of her left upper extremity (the patient is left-handed). Stress myocardial imaging using a Bruce protocol did not exhibit significant myocardial ischemia, but because of her typical angina symptoms, she underwent repeat stress myocardial imaging in combination with exercise of her left arm.