Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 2, 2025
In Vivo Quantitative Assessment of Myocardial Structure, Function, Perfusion and Viability Using Cardiac Micro-computed Tomography
Published on: February 16, 2016
Normal values of myocardial blood flow measured with dynamic myocardial computed tomography perfusion
Mathias B Møller1, Jesper J Linde1, Andreas Fuchs1
1Department of Cardiology, The Heart Centre, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 9, Copenhagen 2100, Denmark.
Insights
Normal myocardial blood flow (MBF) values were established using dynamic myocardial computed tomography (CT) perfusion (DM-CTP) in healthy individuals. These MBF values show regional differences but are not affected by age or sex, aiding in diagnosing coronary artery disease.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Imaging
- Radiology
- Functional Cardiac Assessment
Background:
- Dynamic myocardial computed tomography (CT) perfusion (DM-CTP) combined with coronary CT angiography (CCTA) offers anatomical and functional insights into coronary artery disease (CAD).
- Establishing normal reference values for myocardial blood flow (MBF) is crucial for accurately identifying impaired perfusion in patients with suspected CAD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine normal values for MBF using DM-CTP in a healthy cohort.
- To investigate the influence of age and sex on MBF.
- To analyze the regional distribution of MBF within the myocardium.
Main Methods:
- 82 healthy individuals (46 women, aged 45-78) with normal CCTA underwent rest and adenosine stress DM-CTP.
- Global and segmental MBF were quantified.
- Statistical analyses assessed differences related to sex, age, and myocardial segments.
Main Results:
- Global MBF at rest was 0.93 ± 0.42 mL/min/g and during stress was 3.58 ± 1.14 mL/min/g.
- No significant differences in MBF were found between sexes or in correlation with age.
- Significant intersegmental heterogeneity in MBF was observed across the 16 myocardial segments.
Conclusions:
- Normal MBF values assessed by DM-CTP exhibit significant intersegmental variation in healthy individuals.
- Age, sex, and coronary dominance do not appear to influence these MBF values.
- Established normal MBF values are valuable for clinical assessment of myocardial ischemia using DM-CTP.
Aims:
Dynamic myocardial computed tomography (CT) perfusion (DM-CTP) can, in combination with coronary CT angiography (CCTA), provide anatomical and functional evaluation of coronary artery disease (CAD). However, normal values of myocardial blood flow (MBF) are needed to identify impaired myocardial blood supply in patients with suspected CAD. We aimed to establish normal values for MBF measured using DM-CTP, to assess the effects of age and sex, and to assess regional distribution of MBF.
Methods And Results:
A total of 82 healthy individuals (46 women) aged 45-78 years with normal coronary arteries by CCTA underwent either rest and adenosine stress DM-CTP (n = 30) or adenosine-induced stress DM-CTP only (n = 52). Global and segmental MBF were assessed. Global MBF at rest and during stress were 0.93 ± 0.42 and 3.58 ± 1.14 mL/min/g, respectively. MBF was not different between the sexes (P = 0.88 at rest and P = 0.61 during stress), and no correlation was observed between MBF and age (P = 0.08 at rest and P = 0.82 during stress). Among the 16 myocardial segments, significant intersegmental differences were found (P < 0.01), which was not related to age, sex, or coronary dominance.
Conclusion:
MBF assessed by DM-CTP in healthy individuals with normal coronary arteries displays significant intersegmental heterogeneity which does not seem to be affected by age, sex, or coronary dominance. Normal values of MBF may be helpful in the clinical evaluation of suspected myocardial ischaemia using DM-CTP.
