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Validation of a new cardiac image fusion software for three-dimensional integration of myocardial perfusion SPECT and stand-alone 64-slice CT angiography

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European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Combining the functional information of SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging (SPECT-MPI) and the morphological information of coronary CT angiography (CTA) may allow easier evaluation of the spatial relationship between coronary stenoses and perfusion defects. The aim of the present study was the validation of a novel software solution for three-dimensional (3D) image fusion of SPECT-MPI and CTA.

Methods

SPECT-MPI with adenosine stress/rest 99mTc-tetrofosmin was fused with 64-slice CTA in 15 consecutive patients with a single perfusion defect and a single significant coronary artery stenosis (≥50% diameter stenosis). 3D fused SPECT/CT images were analysed by two independent observers with regard to superposition of the stenosed vessel onto the myocardial perfusion defect. Interobserver variability was assessed by recording the X, Y, Z coordinates for the origin of the stenosed coronary artery and the centre of the perfusion defect and measuring the distance between the two landmarks.

Results

SPECT-MPI revealed a fixed defect in seven patients, a reversible defect in five patients and a mixed defect in three patients and CTA documented a significant stenosis in the respective subtending coronary artery. 3D fused SPECT/CT images showed a match of coronary lesion and perfusion defect in each patient and the fusion process took less than 15 min. Interobserver variability was excellent for landmark detection (r = 1.00 and r = 0.99, p < 0.0001) and very good for the 3D distance between the two landmarks (r = 0.94, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

3D SPECT/CT image fusion is feasible, reproducible and allows correct superposition of SPECT segments onto cardiac CT anatomy.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by a grant from the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF-professorship grant No. PP00A-68835) and by a grant of the National Center of Competence in Research, Computer Aided and Image Guided Medical Interventions (NCCR CO-ME) of the Swiss National Science Foundation. Victor Kalff’s sabbatical leave was financially supported by the Alfred Hospital and its Whole Time Medical Specialists Fund, Melbourne, Australia.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nuclear Cardiology, Cardiovascular Center, University Hospital Zurich, Raemistrasse 100, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland

    Oliver Gaemperli, Tiziano Schepis, Mehdi Namdar, Ines Valenta & Philipp A. Kaufmann

  2. Department of Nuclear Medicine, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia

    Victor Kalff

  3. GE Healthcare Bio-Sciences, 283 rue de la Minière, 78533, Buc Cedex, France

    Laurent Stefani

  4. Institute of Diagnostic Radiology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland

    Lotus Desbiolles, Sebastian Leschka, Lars Husmann & Hatem Alkadhi

  5. Zurich Center for Integrative Human Physiology (ZIHP), University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland

    Philipp A. Kaufmann

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  1. Oliver Gaemperli
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Correspondence to Philipp A. Kaufmann.

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Gaemperli, O., Schepis, T., Kalff, V. et al. Validation of a new cardiac image fusion software for three-dimensional integration of myocardial perfusion SPECT and stand-alone 64-slice CT angiography. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 34, 1097–1106 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00259-006-0342-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00259-006-0342-9

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