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Delineation of impaired regional myocardial perfusion by positron emission tomography with H/sub 2//sup 15/O

Journal Article · · Circulation; (United States)

Positron emission tomography with /sup 15/O-labeled water (H/sub 2//sup 15/O) can be used to delineate abnormal regional myocardial blood flow in experimental animals. To determine the feasibility of this method in humans, we studied 33 subjects (9 normal volunteers and 24 patients with angiographically documented coronary artery disease) at rest and after myocardial hyperemia induced with intravenous infusion of dipyridamole. At rest, the myocardial region demonstrating the lowest relative H/sub 2//sup 15/O activity exhibited 71 +/- 8% of activity in the region with peak activity in control subjects and 62 +/- 17% in patients (p = NS). After the dipyridamole infusion, differences between the two groups were accentuated. In control subjects, activity in the region with lowest relative radioactivity averaged 77 +/- 5% of that in the region with peak activity. In patients, it averaged 55 +/- 22% of activity in the region with peak activity (p less than 0.01). Results in patients with ischemia with or without a history of remote myocardial infarction were not significantly different. In 22 of the 24 patients, the region with lowest relative perfusion corresponded anatomically to the region of myocardium distal to a stenosis. Thus, delineation of regional myocardial perfusion in patients with coronary artery disease is possible with positron emission tomography and H/sub 2//sup 15/O. Further studies will be necessary to prospectively determine sensitivity and specificity.

Research Organization:
Washington Univ. School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO (USA)
OSTI ID:
6746087
Journal Information:
Circulation; (United States), Journal Name: Circulation; (United States) Vol. 78:3; ISSN CIRCA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English