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In Vivo Quantitative Assessment of Myocardial Structure, Function, Perfusion and Viability Using Cardiac Micro-computed Tomography
08:13

In Vivo Quantitative Assessment of Myocardial Structure, Function, Perfusion and Viability Using Cardiac Micro-computed Tomography

Published on: February 16, 2016

[Assessment of myocardial perfusion and function in victims of scorpion envenomation using gated-SPECT]

Alexandre Baldini de Figueiredo1, Palmira Cupo, Antônio O Pintya

  • 1Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, USP, São Paulo, SP, Brasil.

Arquivos Brasileiros De Cardiologia
|May 26, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Scorpion envenomation frequently causes myocardial perfusion abnormalities and impaired left ventricular function. Recovery of heart function correlates with improved perfusion, suggesting its role in acute ventricular failure.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Toxicology
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • Scorpion envenomation can lead to severe cardiac complications like cardiogenic shock and pulmonary edema.
  • The exact pathophysiological mechanisms underlying these cardiac issues in scorpion envenomation are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between abnormalities in myocardial perfusion and left ventricular contractile function in patients affected by scorpion stings.
  • To assess the recovery of cardiac function following scorpion envenomation.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized ECG-gated myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (gated SPECT) on 15 patients within 72 hours and 15 days post-envenomation.
  • Analyzed images using semi-quantitative visual perfusion and motion scores (SPS, SMS) and calculated left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).

Main Results:

  • At baseline, 12 of 15 patients showed abnormal myocardial perfusion and contractility, with low LVEF (44.6%).
  • Significant correlations were found between perfusion scores (SPS) and motion scores (SMS), and between SPS and LVEF.
  • Follow-up revealed significant recovery in global and segmental contractility (LVEF, SMS) and perfusion (SPS).

Conclusions:

  • Myocardial perfusion defects are common in scorpion envenomation and are topographically linked to contractile dysfunction.
  • The reversibility of perfusion defects correlates with the recovery of cardiac contractility.
  • These findings highlight the role of myocardial perfusion abnormalities in the pathophysiology of acute ventricular failure due to scorpion envenomation.
Abstract

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