26
|
von Felten E, Benz DC, Benetos G, Baehler J, Patriki D, Rampidis GP, Giannopoulos AA, Bakula A, Gräni C, Pazhenkottil AP, Gebhard C, Fuchs TA, Kaufmann PA, Buechel RR. Prognostic value of regional myocardial flow reserve derived from 13N-ammonia positron emission tomography in patients with suspected coronary artery disease. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2021; 49:311-320. [PMID: 34191100 PMCID: PMC8712296 DOI: 10.1007/s00259-021-05459-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To assess the prognostic value of regional quantitative myocardial flow measures as assessed by 13N-ammonia positron emission tomography (PET) myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) in patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS We retrospectively included 150 consecutive patients with suspected CAD who underwent clinically indicated 13 N-ammonia PET-MPI and who did not undergo revascularization within 90 days of PET-MPI. The presence or absence of a decreased global myocardial flow reserve (i.e., MFR < 2) as well as decreased regional MFR (i.e., ≥ 2 adjacent segments with MFR < 2) was recorded, and patients were classified as having preserved global and regional MFR (MFR group 1), preserved global but decreased regional MFR (MFR group 2), or decreased global and regional MFR (MFR group 3). We obtained follow-up regarding major adverse cardiac events (MACE, i.e., a combined endpoint including all-cause death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and late revascularization) and all-cause death. RESULTS Over a median follow-up of 50 months (IQR 38-103), 30 events occurred in 29 patients. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed significantly reduced event-free and overall survival in MFR groups 2 and 3 compared to MFR group 1 (log-rank: p = 0.015 and p = 0.013). In a multivariable Cox regression analysis, decreased regional MFR was an independent predictor for MACE (adjusted HR 3.44, 95% CI 1.17-10.11, p = 0.024) and all-cause death (adjusted HR 4.72, 95% CI 1.07-20.7, p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS A decreased regional MFR as assessed by 13 N-ammonia PET-MPI confers prognostic value by identifying patients at increased risk for future adverse cardiac outcomes and all-cause death.
Collapse
|
27
|
Benetos G, Giannopoulos AA. Myocardial perfusion imaging in cardiac sarcoidosis: A "sine qua non" for prognosis assessment? J Nucl Cardiol 2021; 28:1757-1759. [PMID: 31792915 DOI: 10.1007/s12350-019-01964-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2019] [Accepted: 11/11/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
|
28
|
Markendorf S, Benz DC, Messerli M, Grossmann M, Giannopoulos AA, Patriki D, Fuchs TA, Gräni C, Pazhenkottil AP, Buechel RR, Kaufmann PA, Gaemperli O. Value of 12-lead electrocardiogram to predict myocardial scar on FDG PET in heart failure patients. J Nucl Cardiol 2021; 28:1364-1373. [PMID: 31399902 DOI: 10.1007/s12350-019-01841-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE A surface 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) is widely available, fast, inexpensive, and safe. However, its value to predict a true myocardial scar in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) has not been studied extensively yet. This study was conducted to assess whether Q waves on resting surface 12-lead ECG are predictive of non-viable myocardium in patients with ICM. METHODS We analyzed resting ECGs of 149 patients with ICM undergoing cardiac positron emission tomography (PET) with 13N-ammonia (NH3) and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) at our institution. Pathological Q waves and QS complexes were assigned to one of three coronary artery territories and compared to the PET findings. Myocardial scar was defined as 2 or more contiguous myocardial segments with an average (matched) reduction of NH3 and FDG uptake <50% of the maximum value. RESULTS Pathological Q waves had a sensitivity and specificity of 70% and 40%, respectively, and a PPV and NPV of 37% and 73%, respectively, to detect myocardial scar on FDG PET. For QS complexes, sensitivity and specificity were 46% and 59%, respectively, and PPV and NPV were 36% and 68%, respectively. Sensitivity was lower, but specificity was significantly higher in both the LCX and RCA compared to the LAD territory (p<0.001), particularly for QS complexes. CONCLUSION Pathological Q waves on resting 12-lead ECG have poor or at best moderate sensitivity and specificity to detect myocardial scar on FDG PET. These findings support the use of more advanced imaging techniques to assess myocardial viability in ICM.
Collapse
|
29
|
Giannopoulos AA, Pazhenkottil AP. Innervation imaging to guide ventricular arrhythmia ablation. J Nucl Cardiol 2021; 28:184-186. [PMID: 30719658 DOI: 10.1007/s12350-019-01632-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2019] [Accepted: 01/24/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
|
30
|
Benz DC, Ferro P, Safa N, Messerli M, von Felten E, Huang W, Patriki D, Giannopoulos AA, Fuchs TA, Gräni C, Gebhard C, Pazhenkottil AP, Kaufmann PA, Buechel RR. Role of quantitative myocardial blood flow and 13N-ammonia washout for viability assessment in ischemic cardiomyopathy. J Nucl Cardiol 2021; 28:263-273. [PMID: 30895563 DOI: 10.1007/s12350-019-01684-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2018] [Accepted: 03/01/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Positron emission tomography (PET) integrating assessment of perfusion with 13N-ammonia (NH3) and viability with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) has high accuracy to identify viable, hibernating myocardium. We tested whether quantification of myocardial blood flow (MBF) and washout (k2) can predict myocardial viability using FDG as standard of reference. METHODS In 180 consecutive patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy, myocardium was categorized on a segment-level into normal, ischemic, hibernating, and scar. From dynamic images, stress MBF, rest MBF, and k2 were derived and myocardial flow reserve (MFR) and volume of distribution (VD) were calculated. RESULTS Across myocardial tissues, all parameters differed significantly. The area under the curve (AUC) was 0.564 (95% CI 0.527-0.601), 0.635 (0.599-0.671), 0.553 (0.516-0.591), 0.520 (0.482-0.559), and 0.560 (0.522-0.597) for stress MBF, rest MBF, MFR, k2, and VD. The generalized linear mixed model correctly classified 81% of scar as viable, hibernating myocardium. If the threshold of rest MBF to predict viability was set to 0.45 mL·min-1·g-1, sensitivity and specificity were 96% and 12%, respectively. CONCLUSION Quantitative NH3 PET parameters have low to moderate diagnostic performance to predict viability in ischemic cardiomyopathy. However, if rest MBF falls below 0.45 mL·min-1·g-1, viability testing by FDG-PET may be safely deferred.
Collapse
|
31
|
Kumar A, Giannopoulos AA, Chatzizisis YS. The stenotic vulnerable plaque: Identifying the substrate of acute coronary syndromes. Atherosclerosis 2021; 320:95-97. [PMID: 33568265 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2021.01.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
|
32
|
Benetos G, Benz DC, Rampidis GP, Giannopoulos AA, von Felten E, Bakula A, Sustar A, Fuchs TA, Pazhenkottil AP, Gebhard C, Kaufmann PA, Gräni C, Buechel RR. Coronary artery lumen volume index as a marker of flow-limiting atherosclerosis-validation against 13N-ammonia positron emission tomography. Eur Radiol 2021; 31:5116-5126. [PMID: 33454800 PMCID: PMC8213544 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-020-07586-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Coronary artery volume indexed to left myocardial mass (CAVi), derived from coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA), has been proposed as an indicator of diffuse atherosclerosis. We investigated the association of CAVi with quantitative flow parameters and its ability to predict ischemia as derived from 13N-ammonia positron emission tomography myocardial perfusion imaging (PET-MPI). METHODS Sixty patients who underwent hybrid CCTA/PET-MPI due to suspected CAD were retrospectively included. CAVi was defined as total coronary artery lumen volume over myocardial mass, both derived from CCTA. From PET-MPI, quantitative stress and rest myocardial blood flow (MBF) and myocardial flow reserve (MFR) were obtained and correlated with CAVi, and semi-quantitative perfusion images were analyzed for the presence of ischemia. Harrell's c-statistic and net reclassification improvement (NRI) analysis were performed to evaluate the incremental value of CAVi over the CCTA model (i.e., stenosis > 50% and > 70%). RESULTS CAVi correlated moderately with stress MBF and MFR (R = 0.50, p < 0.001, and R = 0.39, p = 0.002). Mean stress MBF and MFR were lower in patients with low (i.e., ≤ 20.2 mm3/g, n = 24) versus high (i.e., > 20.2 mm3/g, n = 36) CAVi (p < 0.001 for both comparisons). CAVi was independently associated with abnormal stress MBF (OR 0.90, 95% CI 0.82-0.998, p = 0.045). CAVi increased the predictive ability of the CCTA model for abnormal stress MBF and ischemia (c-statistic 0.763 versus 0.596, pdiff < 0.05 and 0.770 versus 0.645, pdiff < 0.05, NRI 0.84, p = 0.001 and 0.96, p < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS CAVi exhibits incremental value to predict both abnormal stress MBF and ischemia over CCTA alone. KEY POINTS • Coronary artery volume indexed to left myocardial mass (CAVi), derived from coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA), is correlated with myocardial blood flow indices derived from 13N-ammonia positron emission tomography myocardial perfusion imaging. • CAVi is independently associated with abnormal stress myocardial blood flow. • CAVi provides incremental diagnostic value over CCTA for both abnormal stress MBF and ischemia.
Collapse
|
33
|
Patriki D, von Felten E, Bakula A, Giannopoulos AA, Kamani CH, Schwyzer M, Messerli M, Benz DC, Gebhard C, Gräni C, Pazhenkottil AP, Kaufmann PA, Fuchs TA, Buechel RR. Splenic switch-off as a predictor for coronary adenosine response: validation against 13N-ammonia during co-injection myocardial perfusion imaging on a hybrid PET/CMR scanner. J Cardiovasc Magn Reson 2021; 23:3. [PMID: 33407586 PMCID: PMC7789581 DOI: 10.1186/s12968-020-00696-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inadequate coronary adenosine response is a potential cause for false negative ischemia testing. Recently, the splenic switch-off (SSO) sign has been identified as a promising tool to ascertain the efficacy of adenosine during vasodilator stress cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR). We assessed the value of SSO to predict adenosine response, defined as an increase in myocardial blood flow (MBF) during quantitative stress myocardial perfusion 13 N-ammonia positron emission tomography (PET). METHODS We prospectively enrolled 64 patients who underwent simultaneous CMR and PET myocardial perfusion imaging on a hybrid PET/CMR scanner with co-injection of gadolinium based contrast agent (GBCA) and 13N-ammonia during rest and adenosine-induced stress. A myocardial flow reserve (MFR) of > 1.5 or ischemia as assessed by PET were defined as markers for adequate coronary adenosine response. The presence or absence of SSO was visually assessed. The stress-to-rest intensity ratio (SIR) was calculated as the ratio of stress over rest peak signal intensity for splenic tissue. Additionally, the spleen-to-myocardium ratio, defined as the relative change of spleen to myocardial signal, was calculated for stress (SMRstress) and rest. RESULTS Sixty-one (95%) patients were coronary adenosine responders, but SSO was absent in 18 (28%) patients. SIR and SMRstress were significantly lower in patients with SSO (SIR: 0.56 ± 0.13 vs. 0.93 ± 0.23; p < 0.001 and SMRstress: 1.09 ± 0.47 vs. 1.68 ± 0.62; p < 0.001). Mean hyperemic and rest MBF were 2.12 ± 0.68 ml/min/g and 0.78 ± 0.26 ml/min/g, respectively. MFR was significantly higher in patients with vs. patients without presence of SSO (3.07 ± 1.03 vs. 2.48 ± 0.96; p = 0.038), but there was only a weak inverse correlation between SMRstress and MFR (R = -0.378; p = 0.02) as well as between SIR and MFR (R = -0.356; p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS The presence of SSO implies adequate coronary adenosine-induced MBF response. Its absence, however, is not a reliable indicator for failed adenosine-induced coronary vasodilatation.
Collapse
|
34
|
Benz DC, Kaufmann PA, von Felten E, Benetos G, Rampidis G, Messerli M, Giannopoulos AA, Fuchs TA, Gräni C, Gebhard C, Pazhenkottil AP, Flammer AJ, Kaufmann PA, Buechel RR. Prognostic Value of Quantitative Metrics From Positron Emission Tomography in Ischemic Heart Failure. JACC Cardiovasc Imaging 2020; 14:454-464. [PMID: 32771569 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmg.2020.05.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Revised: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic and clinical value of quantitative positron emission tomographic (PET) metrics in patients with ischemic heart failure. BACKGROUND Although myocardial flow reserve (MFR) is a strong predictor of cardiac risk in patients without heart failure, it is unknown whether quantitative PET metrics improve risk stratification in patients with ischemic heart failure. METHODS The study included 254 patients referred for stress and rest myocardial perfusion imaging and viability testing using PET. Major adverse cardiac event(s) (MACE) consisted of death, resuscitated sudden cardiac death, heart transplantation, acute coronary syndrome, hospitalization for heart failure, and late revascularization. RESULTS MACE occurred in 170 patients (67%) during a median follow-up of 3.3 years. In a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model including multiple quantitative PET metrics, only MFR predicted MACE significantly (p = 0.013). Beyond age, symptom severity, diabetes mellitus, previous myocardial infarction or revascularization, 3-vessel disease, renal insufficiency, ejection fraction, as well as presence and burden of ischemia, scar, and hibernating myocardium, MFR was strongly associated with MACE (adjusted hazard ratio per increase in MFR by 1: 0.63; 95% confidence interval: 0.45 to 0.91). Incorporation of MFR into a risk assessment model incrementally improved the prediction of MACE (likelihood ratio chi-square test [16] = 48.61 vs. chi-square test [15] = 39.20; p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS In this retrospective analysis of a single-center cohort, quantitative PET metrics of myocardial blood flow all improved risk stratification in patients with ischemic heart failure. However, in a hypothesis-generating analysis, MFR appears modestly superior to the other metrics as a prognostic index.
Collapse
|
35
|
Benz DC, Giannopoulos AA. Fractional flow reserve as the standard of reference: All that glistens is not gold. J Nucl Cardiol 2020; 27:1314-1316. [PMID: 31175624 DOI: 10.1007/s12350-019-01771-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
|
36
|
Steffen DA, Giannopoulos AA, Grossmann M, Messerli M, Schwyzer M, Gräni C, Gebhard C, Pazhenkottil AP, Kaufmann PA, Buechel RR. "Apical thinning": Relations between myocardial wall thickness and apical left ventricular tracer uptake as assessed with positron emission tomography myocardial perfusion imaging. J Nucl Cardiol 2020; 27:452-460. [PMID: 30109592 DOI: 10.1007/s12350-018-1397-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2018] [Accepted: 07/27/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A reduction in left ventricular apical tracer uptake (apical thinning) is frequently observed in myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI), yet its cause remains a matter of debate, particularly in perfusion emission tomography (PET). This analysis sought to determine whether apical thinning in PET-MPI is attributable to true anatomical thinning of the left ventricular apical myocardium. METHODS AND RESULTS We retrospectively analyzed 57 patients without any history or signs of apical myocardial infarction who underwent rest PET-MPI with 13N-ammonia and contrast-enhanced cardiac computed tomography (CT). Semi-quantitative normalized percent apical 13N-ammonia uptake at rest, myocardial blood flow (MBF), and k2 wash-out rate constants were compared to apical myocardial wall thickness measurements derived from CT and base-to-apex gradients were calculated. Apical thinning was found in 93% of patients and in 74% when analysis of normalized apical tracer uptake was confined to end-systole. No significant correlation was found between apical myocardial thickness and apical tracer uptake (r = - 0.080, P = .553), MBF (r = - 0.211, P = .115), or k2 wash-out rate (r = - 0.023, P = .872), nor between apical myocardial thickness and any gradients. A statistically significant but small difference in apical myocardial thickness was observed in patients with moderately to severely reduced apical tracer uptake vs patients with normal to mildly reduced uptake (4.3 ± 0.7 mm vs 4.7 ± 0.7 mm; P = .043). CONCLUSIONS Apical thinning is a highly prevalent finding during 13N-ammonia PET-MPI that is not solely attributable to true anatomical apical wall thickness or the partial volume effect. Other factors that yet need to be identified seem to have a more prominent impact.
Collapse
|
37
|
Benz D, Kaufmann PA, von Felten E, Benetos G, Rampidis G, Messerli M, Giannopoulos AA, Fuchs TA, Gräni C, Gebhard C, Pazhenkottil A, Flammer A, Kaufmann PA, Buechel RR. MYOCARDIAL FLOW RESERVE FROM POSITRON EMISSION TOMOGRAPHY PREDICTS TREATMENT RESPONSE IN PATIENT WITH ISCHEMIC HEART FAILURE. J Am Coll Cardiol 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/s0735-1097(20)34291-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
|
38
|
Gebhard C, Messerli M, Lohmann C, Treyer V, Bengs S, Benz DC, Giannopoulos AA, Kudura K, von Felten E, Schwyzer M, Gaemperli O, Gräni C, Pazhenkottil AP, Buechel RR, Kaufmann PA. Sex and age differences in the association of heart rate responses to adenosine and myocardial ischemia in patients undergoing myocardial perfusion imaging. J Nucl Cardiol 2020; 27:159-170. [PMID: 29687292 DOI: 10.1007/s12350-018-1276-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In light of growing cardiovascular mortality rates observed in young women, sexual dimorphism in cardiac autonomic nervous control is gaining increasing attention. Heart rate responses to adenosine mirror autonomic activity and may carry important prognostic information. METHODS AND RESULTS Hemodynamic changes during adenosine stress were retrospectively analysed in a propensity-matched cohort of 1932 consecutive patients undergoing myocardial perfusion single-photon-emission computed tomography (MPI-SPECT). Heart rate (HR) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) increased during adenosine infusion (P < 0.001). The increase in SBP and HR (heart rate reserve, HRR), was significantly more pronounced in women compared with men (P < 0.05). Patients ≤ 55 years had a higher HRR compared with patients > 55 years (46.8% vs 37.5%, P = 0.015). Women ≤ 55 years with a reversible perfusion defect on MPI-SPECT exhibited the highest HRR (89.2%), while age-matched men showed a blunted HR response to adenosine (26.4%, P = 0.01). Accordingly, age and an interaction term of female sex and increased HRR were identified as significant predictors of myocardial ischemia in a multiple regression analysis (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.02-1.9, P = 0.038). CONCLUSION HRR during adenosine infusion is influenced by age and sex. Our data suggest a stronger, sympathetic-driven, hemodynamic response to adenosine in younger women with myocardial ischemia.
Collapse
|
39
|
Grossmann M, Giannopoulos AA, Bechtiger FA, Messerli M, Schwyzer M, Benz DC, Kudura K, Gebhard C, Gräni C, Pazhenkottil AP, Kaufmann PA, Buechel RR. Ultra-low-dose computed tomography for attenuation correction of cadmium-zinc-telluride single photon emission computed tomography myocardial perfusion imaging. J Nucl Cardiol 2020; 27:228-237. [PMID: 29923103 DOI: 10.1007/s12350-018-1303-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2018] [Accepted: 04/30/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The applicability of ultra-low-dose computed tomography (CT) for attenuation correction (AC) of single-photon-emission computed tomography myocardial perfusion imaging (SPECT-MPI) remains elusive. METHODS AND RESULTS One-hundred patients underwent one-day 99mTc-tetrofosmin stress-rest MPI and non-contrast enhanced cardiac CT with 120, 80, and 70 kilovolt peak (kVp) tube voltage and tube current of 200 milliamperes for creation of AC maps. Normalized percent myocardial uptake from SPECT-MPI using 80 kVp scans for AC showed excellent correlation vs AC from 120 kVp scans for stress [intraclass correlation (ICC) = 0.988, 95% CI = 0.986-0.989, P < .001] and rest (ICC = 0.985, 95% CI = 0.983-0.987, P < .001) with narrow Bland-Altman limits of agreement (BA-LA) (- 5.3% to 4.5% and - 5.4% to 4.4%, respectively) and minimal bias (- 0.4% and - 0.5%, respectively). Correlation of AC SPECT-MPI based on 70 vs 120 kVp scans was excellent for stress (ICC = 0.988, 95% CI = 0.986-0.989, P < .001) and rest (ICC = 0.986, 95% CI = 0.984-0.987, P < .001) with narrow BA-LA (- 5.3% to 4.4% and - 5.2% to 4.5%, respectively) and small bias (- 0.4% and - 0.3%, respectively). Mean effective radiation dose for the 120, 80 and 70 kVp scans were 0.58 ± 0.07, 0.19 ± 0.02, and 0.12 ± 0.01 mSv, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Attenuation maps for MPI obtained from ultra-low radiation dose CT scans are interchangeable with attenuation maps from standard-dose CT while offering a substantial reduction in radiation dose exposure.
Collapse
|
40
|
Giannopoulos AA, Gaemperli O. The power of myocardial blood flow reserve in personalizing management of patients with stable coronary artery disease. Is it time to move on from percentage of ischaemia? Eur Heart J 2020; 41:769-771. [PMID: 31327015 DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehz465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
|
41
|
Patriki D, Giannopoulos AA. Cardiovascular risk prediction models with myocardial perfusion imaging in chronic kidney disease: ACCESSing digits or focusing on the patient? J Nucl Cardiol 2020; 27:51-52. [PMID: 30014349 DOI: 10.1007/s12350-018-1367-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2018] [Accepted: 07/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
|
42
|
Benetos G, Buechel RR, Gonçalves M, Benz DC, von Felten E, Rampidis GP, Clerc OF, Messerli M, Giannopoulos AA, Gebhard C, Fuchs TA, Pazhenkottil AP, Kaufmann PA, Gräni C. Coronary artery volume index: a novel CCTA-derived predictor for cardiovascular events. Int J Cardiovasc Imaging 2020; 36:713-722. [PMID: 31894527 DOI: 10.1007/s10554-019-01750-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Accepted: 12/13/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) provides critical prognostic information on plaque burden and stenosis severity of coronary arteries. We aimed to investigate the long-term prognostic value of coronary artery volume per myocardial mass as a potential new imaging parameter. Consecutive patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) were included. Coronary artery volume index (CAVi) was defined as volume over myocardial mass. Additionally, obstructive CAD (≥ 70% stenosis) and segment severity score (SSS: sum of all segments scored according to lesion severity with 0 = no lesion, 1 = narrowing < 50%, 2 = stenosis 50-69% and 3 = stenosis ≥ 70%) were evaluated. Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) were defined as cardiac death, non-fatal myocardial infarction or revascularization. The association of CAVi with MACE was evaluated using Cox regression hazards ratios (HR) and Kaplan Meier curves. In a total of 325 patients, 36 (11.1%) patients experienced MACE during the mean follow-up of 5.4 ± 1.7 years. Patients with low-CAVi (< 27.9 mm3/g) experienced more MACE than patients with high-CAVI (17.2% versus 4.5%, p < 0.001, Kaplan Meier curve p = 0.001). SSS, obstructive CAD and low-CAVi were all significant predictors of MACE in univariable analysis (HR 1.14, 95% CI 1.09-1.19, p < 0.001; HR 5.51, 95% CI 2.86-10.60, p < 0.001; and HR 3.79, 95% CI 1.66-8.65, p = 0.002, respectively). CAVi maintained significant association with MACE when adjusted to SSS (CAVi HR 2.43, 95% CI 1.02-5.75, p = 0.04) or obstructive CAD (CAVi HR 2.4, 95% CI 1.002-5.75, p = 0.049). CAVi could further risk stratify patients without obstructive CAD when stratifying patients according to obstructive CAD (Kaplan-Meier curve p = 0.049). CAVi is a novel CCTA-derived imaging parameter, yielding independent prognostic value over stenosis and plaque burden.
Collapse
|
43
|
Benz DC, Giannopoulos AA. Do we really need to look at volumetric measurements with 99mTc single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) myocardial perfusion imaging? J Nucl Cardiol 2019; 26:1717-1719. [PMID: 29589207 DOI: 10.1007/s12350-018-1263-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2018] [Accepted: 03/19/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
|
44
|
Benz DC, von Dahlen AP, Huang W, Messerli M, von Felten E, Benetos G, Giannopoulos AA, Fuchs TA, Gräni C, Gebhard C, Pazhenkottil AP, Gaemperli O, Kaufmann PA, Buechel RR. No differences in rest myocardial blood flow in stunned and hibernating myocardium: insights into the pathophysiology of ischemic cardiomyopathy. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2019; 46:2322-2328. [DOI: 10.1007/s00259-019-04440-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2019] [Accepted: 07/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
|
45
|
von Felten E, Giannopoulos AA. Myocardial Creep: we can now look it in the eye without framewise PET-CT registration for myocardial blood flow quantification. J Nucl Cardiol 2019; 26:747-748. [PMID: 30919270 DOI: 10.1007/s12350-019-01695-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2019] [Accepted: 03/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
|
46
|
Gräni C, Vontobel J, Benz DC, Bacanovic S, Giannopoulos AA, Messerli M, Grossmann M, Gebhard C, Pazhenkottil AP, Gaemperli O, Kaufmann PA, Buechel RR. Ultra-low-dose coronary artery calcium scoring using novel scoring thresholds for low tube voltage protocols-a pilot study. Eur Heart J Cardiovasc Imaging 2019; 19:1362-1371. [PMID: 29432592 DOI: 10.1093/ehjci/jey019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2017] [Accepted: 01/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims To determine if tube-adapted thresholds for coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring by computed tomography at 80 kilovolt-peak (kVp) tube voltage and 70-kVp yield comparable results to the standard 120-kVp protocol. Methods and results We prospectively included 103 patients who underwent standard scanning with 120-kVp tube voltage and additional scans with 80 kVp and 70 kVp. Mean body mass index (BMI) was 27.9 ± 5.1 kg/m2. For the lowered tube voltages, we applied novel kVp-adapted thresholds for calculation of CAC scores and compared them with standard 120-kVp scans using intraclass correlation and Bland-Altman (BA) analysis. Furthermore, risk-class (CAC score 0/1-10/11-100/101-400/>400) changes were assessed. Median CAC score from 120-kVp scans was 212 (interquartile range 25-901). Thirteen (12.6%) patients had zero CAC. Using the novel kVp-adapted thresholds, CAC scores derived from 80-kVp scans showed excellent correlation (r = 0.994, P < 0.001) with standard 120-kVp scans with BA limits of agreement of -235 (-39.5%) to 172 (28.9%). Similarly, for 70-kVp scans, correlation was excellent (r = 0.972, P < 0.001) but with broader limits of agreement of -476 (-85.0%) to 270 (48.2%). Only 2 (2.8%) reclassifications were observed for the 80-kVp scans in patients with a BMI <30 kg/m2 (n = 71), and 2 (6.1%) for the 70-kVp scans in patients with a BMI <25 kg/m2 (n = 33). Mean effective radiation dose was 0.60 ± 0.07 millisieverts (mSv), 0.19 ± 0.02 mSv, and 0.12 ± 0.01 mSv for the 120-kVp, 80-kVp, and 70-kVp scans, respectively. Conclusion The present study suggests that CAC scoring with reduced peak tube voltage is accurate if kVp-adapted thresholds for calculation of CAC scores are applied while offering a substantial further radiation dose reduction.
Collapse
|
47
|
Rampidis GP, Benetos G, Benz DC, Giannopoulos AA, Buechel RR. A guide for Gensini Score calculation. Atherosclerosis 2019; 287:181-183. [PMID: 31104809 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2019.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
|
48
|
Haider A, Possner M, Messerli M, Bengs S, Osto E, Maredziak M, Portmann A, Fiechter M, Giannopoulos AA, Treyer V, Gaisl T, von Felten E, Patriki D, Benz DC, Fuchs TA, Gräni C, Pazhenkottil AP, Buechel RR, Kaufmann PA, Gebhard C. Quantification of intrathoracic fat adds prognostic value in women undergoing myocardial perfusion imaging. Int J Cardiol 2019; 292:258-264. [PMID: 31178224 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2019.04.092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Revised: 04/16/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
AIM Amongst patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), women experience relatively worse outcomes as compared to men. Evidence to date has failed to explore unique female imaging targets as major determinants of cardiovascular risk. We sought to assess the prognostic value of epicardial (EFV) and intrathoracic fat volume (IFV) quantification in women and men with suspected and known CAD. METHODS AND RESULTS Intrathoracic fat volume and EFV were calculated from non-contrast CT and analyzed in a propensity-matched cohort of 190 patients (95 women, mean age 62.5 ± 11.3 years) undergoing myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) and coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) for evaluation of CAD. IFV and EFV were significantly lower in women as compared to men (198.2 ± 78.4 vs 293.2 ± 114.7 cm3 and 105.6 ± 48.9 vs 135.8 ± 60.9 cm3, p < 0.001) and showed a strong association with coronary artery calcium score (CACS) and obstructive CAD in women (p < 0.05), but not in men. Fat volumes were not related to abnormal MPI in either population (p = NS). During a median follow-up of 2.8 years, high IFV was associated with reduced event free survival (log rank = 0.019 vs low IFV) in women, but not in men. Accordingly, a multivariate Cox regression model adjusted for cardiovascular risk factors, CACS, CCTA, and MPI findings selected IFV as a significant predictor of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in women (HR 1.32, 95%CI 1.18-1.55, p = 0.001). CONCLUSION Quantification of IFV provides incremental prognostic value for MACE in women, beyond that provided by traditional risk factors and imaging findings.
Collapse
|
49
|
Giannopoulos AA, Benz DC, Gräni C, Buechel RR. Imaging the event-prone coronary artery plaque. J Nucl Cardiol 2019; 26:141-153. [PMID: 28685252 DOI: 10.1007/s12350-017-0982-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2017] [Revised: 06/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Acute coronary events, the dreaded manifestation of coronary atherosclerosis, remain one of the main contributors to mortality and disability in the developed world. The majority of those events are associated with atherosclerotic plaques-related thrombus formation following an acute disruption, that being rupture or erosion, of an event-prone lesion. These historically termed vulnerable plaques have been the target of numerous benchtop and clinical research endeavors, yet to date without solid results that would allow for early identification and potential treatment. Technological leaps in cardiovascular imaging have provided novel insights into the formation and role of the event-prone plaques. From intracoronary optical coherence tomography that has enhanced our understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms of plaque disruption, over coronary computed tomography angiography that enables non-invasive serial plaque imaging, and positron emission tomography poised to be rapidly implemented into clinical practice to the budding field of plaque imaging with cardiac magnetic resonance, we summarize the invasive and non-invasive imaging modalities currently available in our armamentarium. Finally, the current status and potential future imaging directions are critically appraised.
Collapse
|
50
|
Hong CJ, Giannopoulos AA, Hong BY, Witterick IJ, Irish JC, Lee J, Vescan A, Mitsouras D, Dang W, Campisi P, de Almeida JR, Monteiro E. Clinical applications of three‐dimensional printing in otolaryngology–head and neck surgery: A systematic review. Laryngoscope 2019; 129:2045-2052. [DOI: 10.1002/lary.27831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
|