Positron Emission Tomography (PET) in Cardiology

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) in Cardiology Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging is useful in assessment of myocardial perfusion and viability, atherosclerotic plaque activity as well as cardiac innervation in heart failure. PET is also useful in prosthetic valve endocarditis, endocarditis associated with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED), infiltrative cardiomyopathy, aortic stenosis and cardio oncology [1]. PET imaging has superior diagnostic accuracy compared to SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography). It has improved spatial and temporal resolution and can measure regional blood flow and has less radiation. In PET, high energy gamma rays of 511 KEV (Kilo Electron Volts) are emitted at 180 degrees during annihilation of the positron and electron. This compares with 140 KEV for technetium. The high energy gamma rays are absorbed by the detectors, giving better resolution images. The radiation exposure of PET was reported as 6 mSv versus 11.6  mSv for SPECT [2]. A meta-analysis compared 82Rb PET with SPECT regarding the detection of obstructive CAD [3]. 15 studies on PET and 8 studies on SPECT having 1344 and 1755 patients respectively were included. They concluded that 82Rb PET is accurate for the detection of obstructive coronary artery disease and is superior to SPECT. The extent and severity of ischemia and scar noted on PET stress myocardial perfusion imaging has been shown to be a powerful and incremental risk predictor for cardia...
Source: Cardiophile MD - Category: Cardiology Authors: Tags: Positron emission tomography Source Type: blogs