Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Myocardial Perfusion Imaging (MPI)

Myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) is one of the most effective techniques used to study the left ventricular ejection function (LVEF), myocardial perfusion, wall motion, and myocardial viability. Techniques can be used to quantify the left global and regional perfusion at rest and stress. Our research discusses the images obtained from the gamma SPECT and positron emission tomography (PET) camera of the radiotracer within the walls of the heart that are gated to the patient’s electrocardiograph (ECG). These images will give us information about perfusion and wall motion. We also examined the quantification of the ejection function to determine the changes in the chamber volume. Our results demonstrated how the indices of rest and stress of myocardial performance and ejection function can be used to monitor cardiac function, and how regional impairment correlates with regional wall myocardial ischemia, or infarction. Also our results illustrated the size of the left ventricle and right ventricle. Most importantly the results provided information on how regional myocardial perfusion and function relates to coronary artery disease (CAD) as assessed by coronary angiography.