Nuclear Cardiology: Present and Future

Impact of ACE and ApoE polymorphisms on myocardial perfusion: correlation with myocardial single photon emission computed tomographic imaging

“…This is the main reason for the strong power of myocardial SPECT in predicting coronary events, whereas the method is of proved independent and incremental prognostic value even after clinical assessment, exercise electrocardiography and coronary angiography. 1,7,24 In this study, we investigated the influence of ACE and ApoE polymorphisms on myocardial perfusion by evaluating the corresponding SPECT variables, SSS, SDS, TID and LHR. No previous reports have investigated the role of genetic factors on myocardial perfusion and association with SPECT studies.…”

“…7,12,13 Acquisition and processing protocols used in our department of Nuclear Medicine for Tl-201 and Tc-99m-tetrofosmin SPECT studies have been described in detail elsewhere, according to EANM/ESC procedural guidelines. 12,13 In the unprocessed anterior projection image of Tl-201 studies, acquired as part of the initial imaging process, the lung/heart ratio (LHR) of Tl-201 activity was measured, as described in a previous report, and values o0.55 were considered to be normal.…”

“…The diagnostic and prognostic value of this method has already been extensively reported previously. 7 On the basis of these considerations, we designed a study, specifically aiming to evaluate the effect of ACE (I/D) and the E2/E3/E4 polymorphism in the coding region of the ApoE gene as well as the functional polymorphism (g.-219G4T) in the promoter of the ApoE gene on myocardial perfusion by focusing on the correlation with myocardial SPECT imaging in a large number of Greek patients. ApoE has a key role in lipoprotein metabolism working as a receptor ligand for the uptake of lipoproteins from circulation, which has been proposed as a risk factor for cardiovascular events.…”

Screening tools for coronary artery disease (CAD) in asymptomatic subjects: the role of stress testing

“…Its diagnostic and prognostic value has been demonstrated by a huge amount of evidence [12,[24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32]. MPS has excellent sensitivity and good specificity in the detection of CAD, 87% and 73%, respectively [33], as shown by a pooled analysis evaluating over 4000 patients.…”

Dedicated cardiac cameras: a new option for nuclear myocardial perfusion imaging

“…In clinical practice, MPI for evaluating regional myocardial blood flow and viability under rest or stress conditions has emerged with two clear roles: diagnosis of CAD and assessment of prognosis in patients with known CAD [1]. In fact, MPI provides clinical benefit in the initial evaluation of patients with suspected, but unproven CAD, and in those patients where a diagnosis of CAD has been established and prognostic information on long-term outcomes is required, also for making the most appropriate treatment decisions.…”