Prognosis of stress-only SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging with prone imaging.

Background: Stress-only single-photon emission computed tomography myocardial perfusion imaging (SO SPECT MPI) is associated with similarly benign prognosis as stress-rest SPECT MPI. However, previous studies have used attenuation correction rather than prone imaging to increase the rate of SO studies.

Objectives: To assess the prognosis of SO SPECT MPI performed with prone imaging.

Yield of left ventricular dyssynchrony by gated SPECT MPI in patients with heart failure prior to implantable cardioverter-defibrillator or cardiac resynchronization therapy with a defibrillator: Characteristics and prediction of cardiac outcome.

Background: Mechanical left ventricular dyssynchrony (MLVD) might contribute in the therapeutic decision-making in patients with heart failure (HF) prior to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Our aim was to assess MLVD in patients with HF prior to implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) compared to patients with CRT-D.

Methods: In a prospective study, patients with LVEF ≤ 35% who were scheduled for ICD or CRT-D, underwent gated SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging with technetium 99m sestamibi within 3 months prior procedure.

Association of Helicobacter pylori with coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction assessed by myocardial perfusion imaging.

Background: The relationship between Helicobacter pylori infection and coronary artery disease (CAD) has as yet not been fully examined. The myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) stress test has proven its efficacy as an integral part of diagnosing CAD.

Objectives: To investigate the association between CAD and H.

Prognostic value of left ventricular dyssynchrony by myocardial perfusion-gated SPECT in patients with normal and abnormal left ventricular functions.

Background: Left ventricular (LV) dyssynchrony by phase analysis has been studied by myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI)-gated SPECT in patients with LV dysfunction in various clinical settings. We aimed to investigate the routine use of phase analysis with gated SPECT for predicting cardiac outcome.

Methods: Patients referred to a tertiary medical center in 2010-2011 prospectively underwent a gated SPECT and phase analysis, and follow-up for cardiac events.

Angiographic correlation of myocardial perfusion imaging with half the radiation dose using ordered-subset expectation maximization with resolution recovery software.

Background: We previously described the feasibility of performing myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) with half the technetium (Tc-99m) activity using ordered-subset expectation maximization with resolution recovery (OSEM-RR) processing. This study sought to assess the accuracy of this technique by correlating the findings with coronary angiography.

Methods: Of 290 patients who underwent MPI-gated SPECT using a half dose of Tc-99m sestamibi and OSEM-RR software in 2010-2012 at a tertiary medical center, 62 were referred for invasive coronary angiography within 90 days and formed the study group.

Feasibility of myocardial perfusion imaging with half the radiation dose in obese patients using ordered-subset expectation maximization with resolution recovery software.

Background: We previously described the feasibility of myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) with nearly half the radiation dose using ordered-subset expectation maximization with resolution recovery (OSEM-RR) processing. This study sought to determine if the findings can be expanded to obese patients.

Methods: Fifty obese patients (>100 kg) referred for MPI underwent stress-rest or rest-stress studies with a half dose of Tc-99m sestamibi in a 1-day protocol using OSEM-RR processing.

Feasibility of myocardial perfusion imaging with half the radiation dose using ordered-subset expectation maximization with resolution recovery software.

Objective: This study sought to assess the feasibility of performing myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) with half the technetium activity using ordered-subset expectation maximization with resolution recovery (OSEM-RR), an iterative reconstruction software developed to improve count statistics and acquisition time.

Methods: Two hundred eighteen patients referred for MPI were randomly allocated to undergo stress-rest or rest-stress protocols with standard full-dose (FD) injections of technetium (Tc)-99m sestamibi or half-dose (HD) injections and OSEM-RR processing. Dose activities were adjusted individually by weight.

Yield of a novel ultra-low-dose computed tomography device mounted on a dedicated cardiac SPECT system in improving the accuracy of myocardial perfusion imaging and the detection of chest abnormalities.

Background: To examine the yield of an ultra-low-dose computed tomography (CT) transmission module for attenuation-correction (AC) on a dedicated cardiac camera in evaluation of SPECT-myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) in the diagnosis of CAD and for additional chest abnormalities.

Methods: The study group included 150 patients with known or suspected CAD referred for technetium sestamibi SPECT MPI. CT transmission scanning (effective radiation 0.

Feasibility of myocardial perfusion SPECT with prone and half-time imaging.

Background: Myocardial perfusion imaging with single-photon emission tomography (SPECT) is associated with reduced specificity due to tissue attenuation. This can be corrected by prone imaging while necessitating additional imaging time. Image processing with iterative reconstruction allows for a half-time (HT) acquisition.

Use of noninvasive tools in primary pulmonary hypertension to assess the correlation of right ventricular function with functional capacity and to predict outcome.

Unlabelled: Most patients with Primary Pulmonary Hypertension (PPH) have severe exertional limitation which ultimately leads to right heart failure and death. The purpose of the study was to assess the correlation between right ventricular (RV) systolic and diastolic noninvasive variables and exercise tolerance, as well as the predictors of adverse outcome in treated patients.

Methods: We prospectively studied 29 patients, 17 with PPH and 12 with PPH due to collagen disease.

Modalities to assess myocardial viability in the modern cardiology era.

Detection of viable myocardium in patients with left ventricular dysfunction has become an increasingly important guide to prognosis and treatment. This article reviews the current status and future potential for the application of modalities to assess myocardial viability. Imaging and other techniques that are reviewed are myocardial perfusion imaging by single-photon-emission computed tomography, positron-emission tomography, echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance technology, computed tomography and catheter-based endocardial mapping.

Prognostic value of myocardial perfusion imaging in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients after percutaneous coronary intervention.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the value of myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) in predicting major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We revised retrospectively patients after PCI that underwent MPI and were followed for a year for the presence of MACE. We found no differences in the incidence of MACE between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients.

Characteristics and outcome of octogenarian population referred for myocardial perfusion imaging: comparison with non-octogenarian population with reference to gender.

Background: Octogenarian patients referred for stress myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) differ from younger (non-octogenarian) patients in that they have lower prevalence of risk factors for CAD, but more frequent ischemic events and higher cardiac mortality.

Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of MPI in octogenarian men and women compared with that in the younger population, and to compare the prognostic value of stress MPI in both populations.

Methods: We studied 162 consecutive patients aged > or = 80 years who were referred for stress MPI, and compared them with 253 consecutive patients aged < 80 years.

Prognostic impact of sex on clinical outcomes following emergent coronary angioplasty in acute myocardial infarction.

Background: Several studies have shown that women had greater risk for adverse clinical outcomes following coronary angioplasty. We aimed to assess the impact of sex on clinical results following emergent coronary angioplasty in acute myocardial infarction.

Methods: We used our database of patients treated for acute myocardial infarction using emergent coronary angioplasty between January 2001 and December 2003.

Characteristics and clinical outcomes of patients with cardiogenic shock complicating acute myocardial infarction treated by emergent coronary angioplasty.

Background: Cardiogenic shock (CS) is a dreadful complication of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) associated with a poor prognosis. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is widely recommended by current treatment guidelines.

Aim: To evaluate the in-hospital and 30-day mortality rate and to determine independent predictors of mortality in a cohort of unselected consecutive patients with CS.

Prognostic value of stress myocardial perfusion imaging in octogenarian population.

Background: The prognostic value of myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) in the very elderly population has not been addressed specifically. The aim of this study was to examine the characteristics of the octogenarian population referred for MPI and the prognostic value of the procedure in terms of patient gender.

Methods: The study sample consisted of 162 consecutive patients (61 women, 101 men) of mean age 83 +/- 3 years (range, 80-90) who underwent stress MPI.

Refractory myocardial ischemic syndromes: patients' characterization and treatment goals.

Experimental strategies such as gene transfer and/or cell transplantation have been explored to enrich collateral perfusion and improve contractility in severely ischemic cardiac patients. Nonetheless, the criteria used to define those patients are not uniform and need to be standardized. The authors propose herein standardized definitions in order to characterize the 'no option' ischemic cardiac patients as follows: lack of revascularization options; angina symptoms; limited exercise capacity; perfusion defects; an identifiable target myocardial region.

Variations in lymphocyte activation during exercise testing in patients with coronary artery disease.

Background: Several studies have shown that strenuous exercise induces changes in the immune system. Soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) is a marker of immune system activation and is known to increase in association with cardiac disease. The aim of the present study was to assess sIL-2R levels in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) in conjunction with exercise testing.

Correlation between ST elevation and Q waves on the predischarge electrocardiogram and the extent and location of MIBI perfusion defects in anterior myocardial infarction.

Background: The common electrocardiographic subclassification of anterior acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is not reliable in presenting the exact location of the infarct. We investigated the relationship between predischarge electrocardiographic patterns and the extent and location of perfusion defects in 55 patients with first anterior AMI.

Methods: Predischarge electrocardiogram was examined for residual ST elevations and Q waves which were correlated with technetium-99m-sestamibi function and perfusion scans.

Discrepancy between myocardial ischemia and luminal stenosis in patients with left internal mammary artery grafting to left anterior descending coronary artery.

Background: Left internal mammary artery (LIMA) grafting to the left anterior descending artery (LAD) is known to have long-term patency. However, myocardial ischemia in the territories supplied by LIMA to LAD is still demonstrated. The aim of this study is to examine the relationships between the extent, location, and clinical outcome of myocardial ischemia in LAD territories (ILAD) by use of myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) and angiographic characteristics of such a bypass conduit.