Left ventricular functional parameters by gated SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging in a Latin American country

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Nuclear Medicine
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Limited data exists on left ventricular (LV) functional parameters from gated SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) in Latin America.
• This study addresses this gap by providing detailed LV functional data in low-risk patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize left ventricular (LV) functional parameters using gated SPECT MPI in a low-risk Latin American population.
• To establish reference values for LV ejection fraction and volumes at rest and during stress.

Main Methods:

• Ninety patients (50 men) with a very low likelihood of coronary artery disease were studied.
• Gated-SPECT MPI was performed using Tc-99m MIBI with a 2-day protocol and 16 frames/R-R cycle.
• Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and volumes were assessed at rest and post-stress.

Main Results:

• No significant differences were observed in LV ejection fraction or volumes between rest and post-stress conditions.
• LVEF was 68±7% post-stress and 70±7% at rest in women; 62±7% and 63±7% in men.
• LV volumes were larger in men than women (P<.01), with no significant differences in transient ischemic dilatation between sexes.

Conclusions:

• The study provides valuable reference data for gated SPECT MPI in Latin America.
• These findings can assist clinicians in interpreting MPI results using the specified protocol.
• The data contributes to understanding normal LV function in this specific demographic and geographic region.