Comparison of MRI and MIBI SPECT as Modalities for Infarct Size Assessment

Authors

  • Je’nine Horn

Keywords:

magnetic resonance imaging, MIBI SPECT, Infarction, Coronary artery disease

Abstract

BACKGROUND:According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of death in the Western world [1]. This study compares 99m-technetium-methoxyisobutylisonitrile single photon emission computed tomography (99mTC-MIBI SPECT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as myocardial infarct size imaging modalities as a means to assess extent of CAD. The study is underpinned by recent publications which are discussed in this article [1-7]. METHOD:Five patients, four males and one female, aged 40-65 years who were hospitalized for myocardial infarction were participants in this study. Patients underwent a 99mTc-MIBI SPECT stress study to detect if a myocardial defect was present. Patients with defects on 99mTc-MIBI SPECT stress studies then underwent 99mTc-MIBI SPECT rest studies, to distinguish between ischemia and infarction. The patients with defects on 99mTc-MIBI SPECT rest studies then underwent further contrast-enhanced MRI studies. The MRI and 99mTc-MIBI SPECT rest infarction sizes were drawn as regions of interest (ROI). The infarct size was expressed as a percentage relating the infarcted area to the entire area of the left ventricle for both the MRI and the rest 99mTc-MIBI SPECT studies. RESULTS:The average global 99mTc-MIBI SPECT infarction size in percentage in the 5 patients was 21% and the MRI global average infarction size was 18%. CONCLUSION:The MRI and rest 99mTc-MIBI SPECT global infarction size percentages have shown a good correlation.

Author Biography

Je’nine Horn

ND Rad (D); ND Rad (NM); B Tech NM (cum laude)

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Published

2007-01-23

Issue

Section

Original Articles