Three-Color SUV_LV-Normalized SPECT/CT to Visualize Dynamic Pulmonary Perfusion in Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary...

Area of Science:

• Nuclear medicine
• Radiology
• Cardiology

Background:

• Conventional lung perfusion scintigraphy has limitations for tracking regional pulmonary perfusion changes over time in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH).
• Assessing longitudinal changes in pulmonary perfusion is crucial for managing CTEPH patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a novel CT-derived, lung volume-normalized standardized uptake value (SUV_LV)-based 3-color SPECT/CT mapping technique.
• To assess the utility of this advanced imaging in visualizing pulmonary perfusion dynamics during interventions for CTEPH.

Main Methods:

• Applied SUV_LV-based 3-color SPECT/CT mapping in a CTEPH patient undergoing staged balloon pulmonary angioplasty and pulmonary endarterectomy.
• Correlated SPECT/CT findings with pulmonary angiographic results.

Main Results:

• The SUV_LV-normalized 3-color SPECT/CT approach clearly visualized regional perfusion redistribution and vascular steal patterns.
• These patterns were not readily apparent with conventional SPECT/CT.
• Imaging findings showed strong spatial concordance with pulmonary angiography throughout the treatment course.

Conclusions:

• SUV_LV-normalized 3-color SPECT/CT provides intuitive visualization of dynamic pulmonary perfusion changes.
• This method is valuable for monitoring patients undergoing staged interventions for CTEPH.