Does quantification of myocardial perfusion SPECT study differ while image reconstruction is carried out using...

Area of Science:

• Nuclear Medicine
• Cardiology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Myocardial perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is crucial for diagnosing coronary artery disease.
• Accurate quantitative analysis of SPECT images relies on effective image reconstruction algorithms.
• Filtered back-projection (FBP) is a conventional method, while iterative reconstruction (ITW) offers potential improvements.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the performance of FBP and ITW algorithms in quantitative analysis of myocardial perfusion SPECT.
• To assess defect size and severity using (99m)Tc-MIBI SPECT images reconstructed with FBP and ITW.
• To evaluate the sensitivity of both algorithms in detecting perfusion deficits and myocardial viability.

Main Methods:

• 43 patients underwent rest and exercise myocardial perfusion scintigraphy with (99m)Tc-MIBI.
• Images were reconstructed using both FBP and ITW algorithms.
• Defect size and severity were quantified; coronary arteriography was performed for all patients.

Main Results:

• No significant difference in defect size was observed between FBP and ITW reconstructions (p > 0.24).
• Defect severity was significantly higher on images reconstructed with ITW (CI(0.95) = 2.4%; 5.2% of maximal counts).

Conclusions:

• Both FBP and ITW algorithms demonstrated similar sensitivity for detecting heart perfusion defects.
• Myocardial viability estimation was comparable between the two reconstruction methods.
• ITW may provide a more sensitive measure of defect severity in myocardial perfusion SPECT.