Dose-consistent dynamic SPECT

Background: Coronary flow reserve (CFR) values measured by dynamic SPECT systems are typically consistent with other modalities (e.g., PET). However, large discrepancies are often observed for individual patients. Positioning of the region-of-interest (ROI), representing the arterial input function (AIF) could explain some of these discrepancies. We explored the possibility of positioning the ROI in a manner that evaluates its consistency with patient-based injected radiotracer doses.

Methods: Dose-consistent dynamic SPECT methodology was introduced, and its application was demonstrated in a twenty-patient clinical study. The effect of various ROI positions was investigated and comparison to myocardial perfusion imaging was performed.

Results: Mean AIF ratios were consistent with the injected dose ratios for all examined ROI positions. Good agreement (> 80%) between total perfusion deficit and CFR was found in the detection of obstructive CAD patients for all ROIs considered. However, for individual patients, significant dependence on ROI position was observed (altering CFR by typically 30%). The proposed methodology's uncertainty was evaluated (~ 7%) and found to be smaller than the variability due to choice of ROI position.

Conclusion: Dose-consistent dynamic SPECT may contribute to evaluating uncertainty of CFR measurements and may potentially decrease uncertainty by allowing improved ROI positioning for individual patients.