Utility of ^99mTc-Sestamibi Heart/Liver Uptake Ratio in Screening Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease During Myocardial...

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic hepatic disease worldwide, with functional impairment of the mitochondria occurring from early stages. Technetium-99m methoxy-isobutyl-isonitrile (^99mTc-MIBI) is a lipophilic agent trapped in the mitochondria. This study aims to evaluate the utility of ^99mTc-MIBI heart/liver uptake ratio in screening for NAFLD during myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI). Seventy eligible patients underwent a 2-d rest/stress ^99mTc-MIBI scan with a 2-min planar image acquired in rest phase, at 30, 60, and 120 min postradiotracer administration. Heart/liver uptake ratio was calculated by placing identical regions of interest on the heart and liver dome. All patients underwent liver ultrasound and were allocated into groups A, having NAFLD; and B, healthy individuals without NAFLD. Mean count per pixel heart/liver ratios gradually increased over time in either group; nonetheless the values were significantly higher in group A, regardless of acquisition timing; with the p-value equal to 0.007, 0.014, and 0.010 at 30, 60, and 120 min, respectively. Determining ^99mTc-MIBI heart/liver uptake ratio during rest phase in patients undergoing MPI may be a useful, noninvasive screening method for NAFLD; with no additional cost, radiation burden, or adverse effects in these patients. Trial registration number: IR.SBMU.MSP.REC.1398.308.