Cardiovascular disease in the literature: A selection of recent original research papers


Myocardial perfusion imaging with regadenoson stress in advanced lung disease


What is this image? 2019: Image 3 result


Impact of left bundle branch block on myocardial perfusion and metabolism: A positron emission tomography study

Abstract

Background

Better understanding of pathophysiological changes, induced by left bundle branch block (LBBB), may improve patient selection for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Therefore, we assessed the effect of LBBB on regional glucose metabolism, ¹³N-NH₃-derived absolute and semiquantitative myocardial blood flow (MBF), and their relation in non-ischemic CRT candidates.

Methods

Twenty-five consecutive non-ischemic patients with LBBB underwent ¹⁸F-FDG and resting dynamic ¹³N-NH₃ PET/CT prior to CRT implantation. Regional ¹⁸F-FDG uptake, absolute MBF, and late ¹³N-NH₃ uptake were analyzed and corresponding septal-to-lateral wall ratios (SLR) were calculated. Segmental analysis was performed to evaluate “reverse mismatch,” “mismatch,” and “match” patterns, based on late ¹³N-NH₃/¹⁸F-FDG uptake ratios.

Results

A significantly lower ¹⁸F-FDG uptake was observed in the septum compared to the lateral wall (SLR 0.53 ± 0.17). A similar pattern was observed for MBF (SLR 0.68 ± 0.18), whereas late ¹³N-NH₃ uptake showed a homogeneous distribution (SLR 0.96 ± 0.13). ¹³N-NH₃/¹⁸F-FDG “mismatch” and “reverse mismatch” segments were predominantly present in the lateral (52%) and septal wall (61%), respectively.

Conclusions

Non-ischemic CRT candidates with LBBB demonstrate lower glucose uptake and absolute MBF in the septum compared to the lateral wall. However, late static ¹³N-NH₃ uptake showed a homogenous distribution, reflecting a composite measure of altered regional MBF and metabolism, induced by LBBB.

Letters to the editor


Correction to: FMTVDM-TFM © ℗ : True quantification requires standardization of the tool being used to measure, with a known, unchanging standard to produce accurate, consistent and reproducible quantified measurements

The Editor wishes to clarify that the authors of the above named Letter provided ICMJE Conflict of Interest forms at the time of submission, and that the Journal omitted to include the resulting statement in the published Letter

What is this image? 2019: Image 3


Systolic wall thickening and prone acquisition as tools to reduce false positives in the interpretation of the SPECT myocardial perfusion study


Incidental findings on hybrid SPECT-CT and PET-CT scanners: Is it time for new training and reporting guidelines?