Structural epicardial disease and microvascular function are determinants of an abnormal longitudinal myocardial

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

Published on: February 16, 2016

Ines Valenta1, Alessandra Quercioli, Gabriella Vincenti

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Center, Nuclear Cardiology, University Hospital of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.

Journal of Nuclear Cardiology : Official Publication of the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology
|July 27, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Epicardial structural disease and impaired microvascular function significantly impact longitudinal myocardial blood flow (MBF) differences in cardiovascular risk patients. PET/CT imaging reveals these abnormalities, aiding in risk assessment.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Nuclear Medicine
  • Radiology

Background:

  • Cardiovascular risk individuals may exhibit altered myocardial blood flow (MBF) patterns.
  • Epicardial disease's influence on longitudinal MBF and its response to hyperemia requires investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess if epicardial structural disease affects longitudinal MBF decrease during hyperemia in cardiovascular risk individuals.
  • To determine the dependency of this effect on flow increase.

Main Methods:

  • Myocardial blood flow (MBF) was measured using (13)N-ammonia and PET/CT in 54 cardiovascular risk individuals and 26 controls.
  • Rest and dipyridamole-stimulated MBF were assessed, alongside computed tomography coronary angiography (CTA).

Main Results:

  • A more pronounced longitudinal MBF difference was observed in at-risk individuals compared to controls.
  • This difference was influenced by both epicardial disease (CTA findings) and microvascular function (mid-LV hyperemic MBF increase).
  • Log-CCS and mid-LV hyperemic MBF increase independently predicted the longitudinal MBF difference.

Conclusions:

  • Epicardial structural disease is a key determinant of abnormal longitudinal MBF differences.
  • Microvascular function also plays a crucial role in these flow abnormalities.
  • PET/CT imaging effectively identifies these determinants of altered MBF.
Abstract

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