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Waelti S, Skawran S, Sartoretti T, Schwyzer M, Gennari AG, Mader C, Treyer V, Kellenberger CJ, Burger IA, Hany T, Maurer A, Huellner MW, Messerli M. A third of the radiotracer dose: two decades of progress in pediatric [ 18F]fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT and PET/MR imaging. Eur Radiol 2024; 34:3252-3259. [PMID: 37855853 PMCID: PMC11126459 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-023-10319-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To assess the evolution of administered radiotracer activity for F-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) PET/CT or PET/MR in pediatric patients (0-16 years) between years 2000 and 2021. METHODS Pediatric patients (≤ 16 years) referred for 18F-FDG PET/CT or PET/MR imaging of the body during 2000 and 2021 were retrospectively included. The amount of administered radiotracer activity in megabecquerel (MBq) was recorded, and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) was measured in the right liver lobe with a 4 cm3 volume of interest as an indicator for objective image quality. Descriptive statistics were computed. RESULTS Two hundred forty-three children and adolescents underwent a total of 466 examinations. The median injected 18F-FDG activity in MBq decreased significantly from 296 MBq in 2000-2005 to 100 MBq in 2016-2021 (p < 0.001), equaling approximately one-third of the initial amount. The median SNR ratio was stable during all years with 11.7 (interquartile range [IQR] 10.7-12.9, p = 0.133). CONCLUSIONS Children have benefited from a massive reduction in the administered 18F-FDG dose over the past 20 years without compromising objective image quality. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT Radiotracer dose was reduced considerably over the past two decades of pediatric F-18-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT and PET/MR imaging highlighting the success of technical innovations in pediatric PET imaging. KEY POINTS • The evolution of administered radiotracer activity for F-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) PET/CT or PET/MR in pediatric patients (0-16 years) between 2000 and 2021 was assessed. • The injected tracer activity decreased by 66% during the study period from 296 megabecquerel (MBq) to 100 MBq (p < 0.001). • The continuous implementation of technical innovations in pediatric hybrid 18F-FDG PET has led to a steady decrease in the amount of applied radiotracer, which is particularly beneficial for children who are more sensitive to radiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan Waelti
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Rämistrasse 100, CH-8091, Zurich, Switzerland
- University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Children's Hospital of Eastern Switzerland, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Stephan Skawran
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Rämistrasse 100, CH-8091, Zurich, Switzerland
- University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Sartoretti
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Rämistrasse 100, CH-8091, Zurich, Switzerland
- University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Moritz Schwyzer
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Rämistrasse 100, CH-8091, Zurich, Switzerland
- University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Antonio G Gennari
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Rämistrasse 100, CH-8091, Zurich, Switzerland
- University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Cäcilia Mader
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Rämistrasse 100, CH-8091, Zurich, Switzerland
- University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Valerie Treyer
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Rämistrasse 100, CH-8091, Zurich, Switzerland
- University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Christian J Kellenberger
- University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Irene A Burger
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Rämistrasse 100, CH-8091, Zurich, Switzerland
- University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Kantonsspital Baden, Baden, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Hany
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Rämistrasse 100, CH-8091, Zurich, Switzerland
- University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- MRI Bahnhofplatz, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Alexander Maurer
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Rämistrasse 100, CH-8091, Zurich, Switzerland
- University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Martin W Huellner
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Rämistrasse 100, CH-8091, Zurich, Switzerland
- University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Michael Messerli
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Rämistrasse 100, CH-8091, Zurich, Switzerland.
- University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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Entezarmahdi SM, Faghihi R, Yazdi M, Shahamiri N, Geramifar P, Haghighatafshar M. QCard-NM: Developing a semiautomatic segmentation method for quantitative analysis of the right ventricle in non-gated myocardial perfusion SPECT imaging. EJNMMI Phys 2023; 10:21. [PMID: 36959409 PMCID: PMC10036722 DOI: 10.1186/s40658-023-00539-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent studies have shown that the right ventricular (RV) quantitative analysis in myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) SPECT can be beneficial in the diagnosis of many cardiopulmonary diseases. This study proposes a new algorithm for right ventricular 3D segmentation and quantification. METHODS The proposed Quantitative Cardiac analysis in Nuclear Medicine imaging (QCard-NM) algorithm provides RV myocardial surface estimation and creates myocardial contour using an iterative 3D model fitting method. The founded contour is then used for quantitative RV analysis. The proposed method was assessed using various patient datasets and digital phantoms. First, the physician's manually drawn contours were compared to the QCard-NM RV segmentation using the Dice similarity coefficient (DSC). Second, using repeated MPI scans, the QCard-NM's repeatability was evaluated and compared with the QPS (quantitative perfusion SPECT) algorithm. Third, the bias of the calculated RV cavity volume was analyzed using 31 digital phantoms using the QCard-NM and QPS algorithms. Fourth, the ability of QCard-NM analysis to diagnose coronary artery diseases was assessed in 60 patients referred for both MPI and coronary angiography. RESULTS The average DSC value was 0.83 in the first dataset. In the second dataset, the coefficient of repeatability of the calculated RV volume between two repeated scans was 13.57 and 43.41 ml for the QCard-NM and QPS, respectively. In the phantom study, the mean absolute percentage errors for the calculated cavity volume were 22.6% and 42.2% for the QCard-NM and QPS, respectively. RV quantitative analysis using QCard-NM in detecting patients with severe left coronary system stenosis and/or three-vessel diseases achieved a fair performance with the area under the ROC curve of 0.77. CONCLUSION A novel model-based iterative method for RV segmentation task in non-gated MPI SPECT is proposed. The precision, accuracy, and consistency of the proposed method are demonstrated by various validation techniques. We believe this preliminary study could lead to developing a framework for improving the diagnosis of cardiopulmonary diseases using RV quantitative analysis in MPI SPECT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyed Mohammad Entezarmahdi
- Nuclear Engineering Department, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
- Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Research Center, Namazi Teaching Hospital, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Reza Faghihi
- Nuclear Engineering Department, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.
| | - Mehran Yazdi
- School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Negar Shahamiri
- Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Research Center, Namazi Teaching Hospital, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering and IT, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Parham Geramifar
- Research Center for Nuclear Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahdi Haghighatafshar
- Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Research Center, Namazi Teaching Hospital, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
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Scabbio C, Malaspina S, Capozza A, Selvaggi C, Matheoud R, Del Sole A, Lecchi M. Impact of low-dose SPECT imaging on normal databases and myocardial perfusion scores. Phys Med 2019; 59:163-169. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmp.2019.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2018] [Revised: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
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Lecchi M, Del Sole A. The long way to dose reduction in myocardial perfusion imaging. J Nucl Cardiol 2018; 25:2129-2132. [PMID: 28667453 DOI: 10.1007/s12350-017-0967-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2017] [Accepted: 06/16/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michela Lecchi
- Health Physics, San Paolo Hospital, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Angelo Del Sole
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan and Nuclear Medicine Unit, San Paolo Hospital, Milan, Italy.
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Costa PF, Testanera G, Camoni L, Terwinghe C, Bailey EA, Bolus NE, Alden TM. Technologist Approach to Global Dose Optimization. J Nucl Med Technol 2018; 47:75-82. [PMID: 30413598 DOI: 10.2967/jnmt.118.218131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2018] [Accepted: 09/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Nuclear medicine technologists are specialized health professionals who cover a wide range of tasks from clinical routine (including image acquisition and processing, radiopharmaceutical dispensing and administration, patient care, and radioprotection tasks) to leading clinical research in the field of nuclear medicine. As a fundamental concern in all radiation sciences applied to medicine, protection of individuals against the harmful effects of ionizing radiation must be constantly revised and applied by the professionals involved in medical exposures. The acknowledgment that nuclear medicine technologists play a prominent role in patient management and several procedural steps, both in diagnostic and in therapeutic nuclear medicine applications, carries the duty to be trained and knowledgeable on the topic of radiation protection and dose optimization. An overview on selected topics related to dose optimization is presented in this article, reflecting the similarities and particularities of dose reduction-related principles, initiatives, and practicalities from a global perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Fragoso Costa
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Giorgio Testanera
- Barts Health NHS Trust, Department of Nuclear Medicine, St. Bartholomew's Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Luca Camoni
- Nuclear Medicine Unit, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
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Kim DA, Farrell MB, Jerome SD. It's about time we think about lowering radiation dose in obese patients too. J Nucl Cardiol 2017; 24:1922-1925. [PMID: 27541046 DOI: 10.1007/s12350-016-0636-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2016] [Accepted: 08/02/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel A Kim
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Scott D Jerome
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Dondi M, Pascual T, Paez D, Einstein AJ. Nuclear Cardiology: Are We Using the Right Protocols and Tracers the Right Way? Am J Cardiovasc Drugs 2017; 17:441-446. [PMID: 28444638 DOI: 10.1007/s40256-017-0230-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The field of nuclear cardiology has changed considerably over recent years, with greater attention paid to safety and radiation protection issues. The wider usage of technetium-99m (Tc-99m)-labeled radiopharmaceuticals for single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging using gamma cameras has contributed to better quality studies and lower radiation exposure to patients. Increased availability of tracers and scanners for positron emission tomography (PET) will help further improve the quality of studies and quantify myocardial blood flow and myocardial flow reserve, thus enhancing the contribution of non-invasive imaging to the management of coronary artery disease. The introduction of new instrumentation such as solid state cameras and new software will help reduce further radiation exposure to patients undergoing nuclear cardiology studies. Results from recent studies, focused on assessing the relationship between best practices and radiation risk, provide useful insights on simple measures to improve the safety of nuclear cardiology studies without compromising the quality of results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio Dondi
- Nuclear Medicine and Diagnostic Imaging Section, Division of Human Health, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Thomas Pascual
- Nuclear Medicine and Diagnostic Imaging Section, Division of Human Health, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria
| | - Diana Paez
- Nuclear Medicine and Diagnostic Imaging Section, Division of Human Health, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria
| | - Andrew J Einstein
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center/New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Radiology, Columbia University Medical Center/New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA
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Gimelli A, Achenbach S, Buechel RR, Edvardsen T, Francone M, Gaemperli O, Hacker M, Hyafil F, Kaufmann PA, Lancellotti P, Nieman K, Pontone G, Pugliese F, Verberne HJ, Gutberlet M, Bax JJ, Neglia D, Gerber B, Donal E, Flachskampf F, Haugaa K, Delgado V, Knuuti J, Knaapen P, Maurovich-Horvat P, Schroeder S. Strategies for radiation dose reduction in nuclear cardiology and cardiac computed tomography imaging: a report from the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (EACVI), the Cardiovascular Committee of European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM), and the European Society of Cardiovascular Radiology (ESCR). Eur Heart J 2017; 39:286-296. [DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehx582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2017] [Accepted: 09/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Gimelli
- Fondazione Toscana/CNR Gabriele Monasterio, Via Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Stephan Achenbach
- Department of Internal Medicine 2 (Cardiology), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Ronny R Buechel
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Cardiac Imaging, University Hospital Zurich and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Thor Edvardsen
- Oslo University Hospital, Department of Cardiology, Rikshospitalet and University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Marco Francone
- Department of Radiological, Oncological and Pathological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Oliver Gaemperli
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Cardiac Imaging, University Hospital Zurich and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marcus Hacker
- Division of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Fabien Hyafil
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Bichat University Hospital, Assistance Publique—Hôpitaux de Paris, Inserm 1148, DHU FIRE, University Paris 7 Diderot, Paris, France
| | - Philipp A Kaufmann
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Cardiac Imaging, University Hospital Zurich and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Patrizio Lancellotti
- Departments of Cardiology, Heart Valve Clinic, CHU Sart Tilman, University of Liège Hospital, GIGA Cardiovascular Sciences, Liège, Belgium
- Gruppo Villa Maria Care and Research, Anthea Hospital, Bari, Italy
| | - Koen Nieman
- Departments of Cardiovascular Medicine and Radiology, Stanford University, School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Gianluca Pontone
- Centro Cardiologico Monzino, IRCCS, Milan, Italy
- Yonsei University Health System, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Francesca Pugliese
- NIHR Barts BRC, Centre for Advanced Cardiovascular Imaging, William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Hein J Verberne
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Matthias Gutberlet
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University of Leipzig-Heart Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jeroen J Bax
- Heart Lung Center Leiden, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Danilo Neglia
- Fondazione Toscana/CNR Gabriele Monasterio, Via Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy
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Lecchi M, Martinelli I, Zoccarato O, Maioli C, Lucignani G, Del Sole A. Comparative analysis of full-time, half-time, and quarter-time myocardial ECG-gated SPECT quantification in normal-weight and overweight patients. J Nucl Cardiol 2017; 24:876-887. [PMID: 26911365 DOI: 10.1007/s12350-015-0382-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2015] [Revised: 12/10/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The introduction of a camera-based dose-reduction strategy in myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) clinical setting entails the definition of objective and reproducible criteria for establishing the amount of activity to be injected. AIM The aim is to evaluate the impact of count statistics on the estimation of summed-scores (SS), end-diastolic volume (EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV), and ejection fraction (EF). METHODS Data rest/stress ECG-gated SPECT (2-day protocol and 8 MBq·kg-1) were acquired with Bright View gamma camera and Astonish algorithm for 40 normal-weight and 40 overweight patients. Assuming that count statistics of shorter acquisition time may simulate that of lower injected activity, three simultaneous scans (full-time, half-time, and quarter-time scans) were started at the same time but with different acquisition time/projection (30, 15 and 8 seconds). RESULTS A significant difference between SS values of half-time and quarter-time stress scans was found for overweight group (P = .006). Post hoc test showed significant differences for ESV (P < .05), EDV (P < .01) and EF (P < .05) between half-time and quarter-time scans for both patient groups. CONCLUSIONS The reduction of the count-statistics to a quarter of the MPI reference influenced negatively the quantification in overweight patients. The decrease of radiopharmaceutical activity to 25% of the reference seems practicable for normal-weight patients, while it is more appropriate an activity reduction limited to 50% for overweight and obese patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Lecchi
- Nuclear Medicine Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, San Paolo Hospital, Via Antonio di Rudini, 8, 20142, Milan, Italy
| | - I Martinelli
- Nuclear Medicine Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, San Paolo Hospital, Via Antonio di Rudini, 8, 20142, Milan, Italy
| | - O Zoccarato
- Unit of Nuclear Medicine, S. Maugeri Foundation, IRCCS, Scientific Institute of Veruno, Veruno, NO, Italy
| | - C Maioli
- Nuclear Medicine Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, San Paolo Hospital, Via Antonio di Rudini, 8, 20142, Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanni Lucignani
- Nuclear Medicine Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, San Paolo Hospital, Via Antonio di Rudini, 8, 20142, Milan, Italy.
| | - A Del Sole
- Nuclear Medicine Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, San Paolo Hospital, Via Antonio di Rudini, 8, 20142, Milan, Italy
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Marcassa C, Zoccarato O. Advances in image reconstruction software in nuclear cardiology: Is all that glitters gold? J Nucl Cardiol 2017; 24:142-144. [PMID: 27220879 DOI: 10.1007/s12350-016-0534-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2016] [Accepted: 04/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The cornerstone results of nuclear cardiology in the last 25 years were obtained with the Filtered Back Projection as the preferred reconstruction method for tomographic studies. Recently, evolution of the OSEM iterative reconstruction algorithms was implemented by different vendors. The value and limitations of the new methods are briefly addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Marcassa
- Cardiology Department, Salvatore Maugeri Foundation, IRCCS, Scientific Institute of Veruno (NO), via Revislate 13, 28010, Veruno, NO, Italy.
| | - Orazio Zoccarato
- Nuclear Medicine Department, Salvatore Maugeri Foundation, IRCCS, Scientific Institute of Veruno (NO), Veruno, NO, Italy
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Myocardial perfusion scintigraphy dosimetry: optimal use of SPECT and SPECT/CT technologies in stress-first imaging protocol. Clin Transl Imaging 2016; 4:491-498. [PMID: 27933282 PMCID: PMC5118398 DOI: 10.1007/s40336-016-0212-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2016] [Accepted: 10/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Purpose Over the past decade, nuclear medicine experts have been seeking to minimize patient exposure to radiation in myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS). This review describes the latest technological innovations in MPS, particularly with regard to dose reduction. Methods We searched in PubMed for original clinical papers in English, published after 2008, using the following research criteria: (dose) and ((reduction) or (reducing)) and ((myocardial) or (cardiac) or (heart)) and ((nuclear medicine) or (nuclear imaging) or (radionuclide) or (scintigraphy) or (SPET) or (SPECT)). Thereafter, recent reviews on the topic were considered and other relevant clinical papers were added to the results. Results Of 202 non-duplicate articles, 17 were included. To these, another eight papers cited in recent reviews were added. By optimizing the features of software, i.e., through algorithms for iterative reconstruction with resolution recovery (IRRs), and hardware, i.e., scanners and collimators, and by preferring, unless otherwise indicated, the use of stress-first imaging protocols, it has become possible to reduce the effective dose by at least 50% in stress/rest protocols, and by up to 89% in patients undergoing a diagnostic stress-only study with new technology. With today’s SPECT/CT systems, the use of a stress-first protocol can conveniently be performed, resulting in an overall dose reduction of about 35% if two-thirds of stress-first examinations were considered definitively normal. Conclusion Using innovative gamma cameras, collimators and software, as well as, unless otherwise indicated, stress-first imaging protocols, it has become possible to reduce significantly the effective dose in a high percentage of patients, even when X-ray CT scanning is performed for attenuation correction.
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Uncontrolled risk factors and worsening perfusion pattern on SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging in medically treated patients with stable chronic ischaemic heart disease. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2016; 43:1513-21. [PMID: 26969348 DOI: 10.1007/s00259-016-3355-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2015] [Accepted: 02/26/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Few data exist on the correlation between the effectiveness of risk factor control and the evolution of myocardial perfusion over time in patients with stable ischaemic heart disease. The aim of the study was to evaluate the changes in stress-rest myocardial perfusion in medically treated patients with stable chronic ischaemic heart disease and the relationship with risk factor control. METHODS The study cohort included 174 consecutive patients (age 60 ± 9 years, 68 % men) undergoing stress-rest myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) (study 1), who also underwent repeat evaluation (study 2) and who were clinically stable on medical therapy. Summed stress, rest and difference scores were calculated. According to the evolution of perfusion pattern from study 1 to study 2, patients were classified as improved, stable or worsened. RESULTS Study 2 was performed on average 2.7 years after study 1. Of the 174 patients, 47 (26.9 %), 53 (30.8 %) and 74 (42.5 %) were classified as stable, improved and worsened, respectively. A significant trend was observed between the number of risk factors at the time of study 1 and worsening of myocardial perfusion (24 % of patients with zero or one risk factor showed worsening, 31 % with two, and 59 % with three or more; p = 0.03). Moreover, patients with worsened perfusion had a higher number of poorly controlled risk factors. CONCLUSION Despite medical therapy and clinical stability, myocardial perfusion worsened in 42.5 % of patients. The risk profile was reclassified in half of the patients. Worsening occurred more frequently in patients with three or more risk factors at the time of study 1 and in those with poorly controlled risk factors at the time of study 2; in this subset of patients, even if clinically stable, reassessment after 2 years could be considered.
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Marcassa C, Zoccarato O. Radiation Dose Reduction from Radionuclide Myocardial Perfusion Imaging. CURRENT CARDIOVASCULAR IMAGING REPORTS 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s12410-015-9364-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Lindner O, Pascual TNB, Mercuri M, Acampa W, Burchert W, Flotats A, Kaufmann PA, Kitsiou A, Knuuti J, Underwood SR, Vitola JV, Mahmarian JJ, Karthikeyan G, Better N, Rehani MM, Kashyap R, Dondi M, Paez D, Einstein AJ. Nuclear cardiology practice and associated radiation doses in Europe: results of the IAEA Nuclear Cardiology Protocols Study (INCAPS) for the 27 European countries. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2015; 43:718-28. [PMID: 26686336 PMCID: PMC4764636 DOI: 10.1007/s00259-015-3270-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2015] [Accepted: 11/27/2015] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Purpose Nuclear cardiology is widely used to diagnose coronary artery disease and to guide patient management, but data on current practices, radiation dose-related best practices, and radiation doses are scarce. To address these issues, the IAEA conducted a worldwide study of nuclear cardiology practice. We present the European subanalysis. Methods In March 2013, the IAEA invited laboratories across the world to document all SPECT and PET studies performed in one week. The data included age, gender, weight, radiopharmaceuticals, injected activities, camera type, positioning, hardware and software. Radiation effective dose was calculated for each patient. A quality score was defined for each laboratory as the number followed of eight predefined best practices with a bearing on radiation exposure (range of quality score 0 – 8). The participating European countries were assigned to regions (North, East, South, and West). Comparisons were performed between the four European regions and between Europe and the rest-of-the-world (RoW). Results Data on 2,381 European patients undergoing nuclear cardiology procedures in 102 laboratories in 27 countries were collected. A cardiac SPECT study was performed in 97.9 % of the patients, and a PET study in 2.1 %. The average effective dose of SPECT was 8.0 ± 3.4 mSv (RoW 11.4 ± 4.3 mSv; P < 0.001) and of PET was 2.6 ± 1.5 mSv (RoW 3.8 ± 2.5 mSv; P < 0.001). The mean effective doses of SPECT and PET differed between European regions (P < 0.001 and P = 0.002, respectively). The mean quality score was 6.2 ± 1.2, which was higher than the RoW score (5.0 ± 1.1; P < 0.001). Adherence to best practices did not differ significantly among the European regions (range 6 to 6.4; P = 0.73). Of the best practices, stress-only imaging and weight-adjusted dosing were the least commonly used. Conclusion In Europe, the mean effective dose from nuclear cardiology is lower and the average quality score is higher than in the RoW. There is regional variation in effective dose in relation to the best practice quality score. A possible reason for the differences between Europe and the RoW could be the safety culture fostered by actions under the Euratom directives and the implementation of diagnostic reference levels. Stress-only imaging and weight-adjusted activity might be targets for optimization of European nuclear cardiology practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Lindner
- Institute of Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Heart and Diabetes Center North Rhine-Westphalia Bochum, University Hospital of the Ruhr University, Georgstr. 11, 32545, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany.
| | - Thomas N B Pascual
- Section of Nuclear Medicine and Diagnostic Imaging, Division of Human Health, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria
| | - Mathew Mercuri
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center and New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - Wanda Acampa
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, National Council of Research, Naples, Italy
| | - Wolfgang Burchert
- Institute of Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Heart and Diabetes Center North Rhine-Westphalia Bochum, University Hospital of the Ruhr University, Georgstr. 11, 32545, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
| | - Albert Flotats
- Nuclear Medicine Department, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Philipp A Kaufmann
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Cardiac Imaging, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Juhani Knuuti
- Turku PET Centre, University of Turku, and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - S Richard Underwood
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK.,Department of Nuclear Medicine, Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals, London, UK
| | | | - John J Mahmarian
- Department of Cardiology, Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ganesan Karthikeyan
- Department of Cardiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Nathan Better
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Royal Melbourne Hospital and University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Madan M Rehani
- Radiation Protection of Patients Unit, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ravi Kashyap
- Section of Nuclear Medicine and Diagnostic Imaging, Division of Human Health, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria
| | - Maurizio Dondi
- Section of Nuclear Medicine and Diagnostic Imaging, Division of Human Health, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria
| | - Diana Paez
- Section of Nuclear Medicine and Diagnostic Imaging, Division of Human Health, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria
| | - Andrew J Einstein
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center and New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Radiology, Columbia University Medical Center and New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA
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Prognostic value of stress-only and stress-rest normal gated SPECT imaging: higher incidence of cardiac hard events in diabetic patients who underwent full stress-rest imaging. Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub 2015; 159:455-9. [DOI: 10.5507/bp.2014.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2013] [Accepted: 05/07/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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Dorbala S, Blankstein R, Skali H, Park MA, Fantony J, Mauceri C, Semer J, Moore SC, Di Carli MF. Approaches to reducing radiation dose from radionuclide myocardial perfusion imaging. J Nucl Med 2015; 56:592-9. [PMID: 25766891 DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.112.115097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2015] [Accepted: 02/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Radionuclide myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) plays a vital role in the evaluation and management of patients with coronary artery disease. However, because of a steep growth in MPI in the mid 2000s, concerns about inappropriate use of MPI and imaging-related radiation exposure increased. In response, the professional societies developed appropriate-use criteria for MPI. Simultaneously, novel technology, image-reconstruction software for traditional scanners, and dedicated cardiac scanners emerged and facilitated the performance of MPI with low-dose and ultra-low-dose radiotracers. This paper provides a practical approach to performing low-radiation-dose MPI using traditional and novel technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharmila Dorbala
- Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, the Noninvasive Cardiovascular Imaging Program, Departments of Medicine (Cardiology) and Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Ron Blankstein
- Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, the Noninvasive Cardiovascular Imaging Program, Departments of Medicine (Cardiology) and Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Hicham Skali
- Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, the Noninvasive Cardiovascular Imaging Program, Departments of Medicine (Cardiology) and Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Mi-Ae Park
- Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, the Noninvasive Cardiovascular Imaging Program, Departments of Medicine (Cardiology) and Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jolene Fantony
- Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, the Noninvasive Cardiovascular Imaging Program, Departments of Medicine (Cardiology) and Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Charles Mauceri
- Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, the Noninvasive Cardiovascular Imaging Program, Departments of Medicine (Cardiology) and Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - James Semer
- Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, the Noninvasive Cardiovascular Imaging Program, Departments of Medicine (Cardiology) and Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Stephen C Moore
- Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, the Noninvasive Cardiovascular Imaging Program, Departments of Medicine (Cardiology) and Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Marcelo F Di Carli
- Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Department of Radiology, the Noninvasive Cardiovascular Imaging Program, Departments of Medicine (Cardiology) and Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to comprehensively study estimated radiation doses for subjects included in the main analysis of the Combined Non-invasive Coronary Angiography and Myocardial Perfusion Imaging Using 320 Detector Computed Tomography (CORE320) study ( ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT00934037), a clinical trial comparing combined CT angiography (CTA) and perfusion CT with the reference standard catheter angiography plus myocardial perfusion SPECT. SUBJECTS AND METHODS. Prospectively acquired data on 381 CORE320 subjects were analyzed in four groups of testing related to radiation exposure. Radiation dose estimates were compared between modalities for combined CTA and perfusion CT with respect to covariates known to influence radiation exposure and for the main clinical outcomes defined by the trial. The final analysis assessed variations in radiation dose with respect to several factors inherent to the trial. RESULTS. The mean radiation dose estimate for the combined CTA and perfusion CT protocol (8.63 mSv) was significantly (p < 0.0001 for both) less than the average dose delivered from SPECT (10.48 mSv) and the average dose from diagnostic catheter angiography (11.63 mSv). There was no significant difference in estimated CTA-perfusion CT radiation dose for subjects who had false-positive or false-negative results in the CORE320 main analyses in a comparison with subjects for whom the CTA-perfusion CT findings were in accordance with the reference standard SPECT plus catheter angiographic findings. CONCLUSION. Radiation dose estimates from CORE320 support clinical implementation of a combined CT protocol for assessing coronary anatomy and myocardial perfusion.
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Lindner O, Bengel FM, Hacker M, Schäfer W, Burchert W. Use of myocardial perfusion imaging and estimation of associated radiation doses in Germany from 2005 to 2012. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2014; 41:963-71. [PMID: 24519554 PMCID: PMC3978223 DOI: 10.1007/s00259-013-2683-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2013] [Accepted: 12/20/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE For several years the Working Group Cardiovascular Nuclear Medicine of the German Society of Nuclear Medicine has been performing a regular survey to obtain information on technique, utilization and development of myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS). Currently, data of six surveys from 2005 to 2012 are available. The aim of this paper is to deliver a general and comprehensive overview of all surveys documenting the course of patient doses over time and the development of the method. METHODS A one-page questionnaire with number of MPS patients, number of stress and rest MPS, referral structure and several technical issues was sent to all centres performing MPS in Germany and evaluated. With the data on protocol utilization, effective MPS patient doses were estimated. RESULTS MPS per million population (pmp) varied between 2,380 and 2,770. In 2012, MPS pmp showed a slight increase for the first time. From 2005 to 2009 the angiography to MPS ratio increased from 3.4 to 4.4, and the revascularization to MPS ratio decreased from 0.66 to 0.53. In 2012, both indices demonstrated an opposite trend for the first time (4.1 and 0.55). A total of 108 centres participated in all surveys. They showed an increase in MPS patients of 4.0 % over the reporting period. In 2012, more than 50 % of the centres experienced no change or an increase in MPS numbers. The leading single competitor was MRI, followed by angiography and stress echocardiography. (201)Tl studies have decreased since 2005 from 20 to 5 %. (99m)Tc MPS studies showed a mild increase in 2-day protocols. In 2012, the average effective dose per patient was estimated at 7.4 mSv. Due to the decreasing use of (201)Tl, a mild decline over the observation period can be documented. Dynamic exercise stress was the most common stress test and adenosine the leading pharmacological stress agent, with a growing percentage. In 2012, the regadenoson percentage was 9 %. Gated single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) noted an increasing acceptance with >70 % in 2012. The segmental scoring of perfusion studies had a low acceptance. Ambulatory care cardiologists represented the major referral group. CONCLUSION Germany has a moderate to moderate-high MPS utilization rate. Nevertheless, coronary artery disease (CAD) diagnosis and disease management are dominated by angiography. The survey data reveal a positive trend in MPS and a decrease in average patient dose reflecting good practice with guideline adherence, the implementation of technical improvements and success in training.
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Affiliation(s)
- O Lindner
- Institute of Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Heart and Diabetes Center North Rhine-Westphalia, University Hospital of the Ruhr University Bochum, Georgstr. 11, 32545, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany,
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Multiple opportunities to reduce radiation dose from myocardial perfusion imaging. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2013; 40:649-51. [PMID: 23407991 DOI: 10.1007/s00259-013-2355-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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