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Updated: Dec 21, 2025
High-Resolution Cardiac Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography for Small Animals
Published on: December 16, 2022
Value of SiPM PET in myocardial perfusion imaging using Rubidium-82
S S Koenders1,2, J A van Dalen3, P L Jager4
1Department of Nuclear Medicine, Isala Hospital, Zwolle, The Netherlands. skoenders93@gmail.com.
Background:
PET scanners using silicon photomultipliers with digital readout (SiPM PET) have an improved temporal and spatial resolution compared to PET scanners using conventional photomultiplier tubes (PMT PET). However, the effect on image quality and visibility of perfusion defects in myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) is unknown. Our aim was to determine the value of a SiPM PET scanner in MPI.
Methods:
We prospectively included 30 patients who underwent rest and regadenoson-induced stress Rubidium-82 (Rb-82) MPI on the D690 PMT PET (GE Healthcare) and within three weeks on the Vereos SiPM PET (Philips Healthcare). Two expert readers scored the image quality and assessed the existence of possible defects. In addition, interpreter's confidence, myocardial blood flow (MBF), and myocardial flow reserve (MFR) values were compared.
Results:
Image quality improved (P = 0.03) using the Vereos as compared to the D690. Image quality of the Vereos and the D690 was graded fair in 20% and 10%, good in 60% and 50%, and excellent in 20% and 40%, respectively. Defect interpretation and interpreter's confidence did not differ between the D690 and the Vereos (P > 0.50). There were no significant differences in rest MBF (P ≥ 0.29), stress MBF (P ≥ 0.11), and MFR (P ≥ 0.51).
Conclusion:
SiPM PET provides an improved image quality in comparison with PMT PET. Defect interpretation, interpreter's confidence, and absolute blood flow measurements were comparable between both systems. SiPM PET is therefore a reliable technique for MPI using Rb-82.
Trial Registration:
ToetsingOnline NL63853.075.17. Registered 13 November, 2017.
Insights
Silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) PET scanners offer better image quality for myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) compared to traditional photomultiplier tube (PMT) PET. Both technologies provide comparable defect interpretation and blood flow measurements, establishing SiPM PET as a reliable MPI tool.
Area of Science:
- Nuclear Medicine
- Cardiovascular Imaging
- Medical Physics
Background:
- Silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) PET scanners offer enhanced temporal and spatial resolution over conventional photomultiplier tube (PMT) PET scanners.
- The impact of SiPM PET on myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) quality and defect visualization remained previously undetermined.
- This study aimed to evaluate the utility of SiPM PET in MPI.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare image quality and diagnostic performance of SiPM PET versus PMT PET in Rubidium-82 (Rb-82) MPI.
- To assess the impact on myocardial blood flow (MBF) and myocardial flow reserve (MFR) measurements.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study involving 30 patients undergoing Rb-82 MPI on both a PMT PET (D690) and a SiPM PET (Vereos) system within three weeks.
- Two expert readers evaluated image quality, defect presence, and interpreter confidence.
- Myocardial blood flow (MBF) and myocardial flow reserve (MFR) were quantified and compared between the two systems.
Main Results:
- Image quality was significantly improved with the SiPM PET (Vereos) compared to the PMT PET (D690) (P = 0.03).
- Defect interpretation and interpreter confidence showed no significant difference between the two PET systems (P > 0.50).
- No significant differences were observed in rest MBF, stress MBF, or MFR between the Vereos and D690 scanners.
Conclusions:
- SiPM PET technology yields superior image quality for MPI compared to PMT PET.
- Defect detection, diagnostic confidence, and absolute blood flow quantification are comparable between SiPM and PMT PET systems.
- SiPM PET is validated as a reliable and effective imaging modality for Rb-82 MPI.
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