Feasibility of simultaneous 99mTc-tetrofosmin and 123I-BMIPP dual-tracer imaging with cadmium-zinc-telluride detectors in patients undergoing primary coronary intervention for acute myocardial infarction

Background Simultaneous dual-tracer imaging using isotopes with close photo-peaks may benefit from improved properties of cadmium-zinc-telluride (CZT)-based scanners. Methods Thirty patients having undergone primary percutaneous coronary intervention for acute myocardial infarction underwent single-(Tc-99m-tetrofosmin (TF) or I-123-BMIPP first) followed by simultaneous Tc-99m-TF /I-123-BMIPP dual-tracer imaging using a Discovery NM/CT 670 CZT. The values for the quantitative gated-SPECT (QGS) and the quantitative perfusion SPECT (QPS) were assessed. Results The intra-class correlation (ICC) coefficients between the single- and dual-tracer imaging were high in all the QGS and QPS data (Summed motion score: 0.95, summed thickening score: 0.94, ejection fraction: 0.98, SRS for Tc-99m-TF: 0.97/ for I-123-BMIPP: 0.95). Wall motion, wall thickening and rest scores per coronary-territory-based regions were also comparable between the single- and dual imaging (ICC coefficient > 0.91). The interrater concordance in the visual analysis for the infarction and perfusion-metabolism mismatch was significant for the global and regional left ventricle (P < 0.001). Conclusion The quantitative/semi-quantitative values for global and regional left-ventricular function, perfusion, and fatty acid metabolism were closely comparable between the dual-tracer imaging and the single-tracer mode. These data suggests the feasibility of the novel CZT-based scanner for the simultaneous Tc-99m-TF /I-123-BMIPP dual-tracer acquisitions in clinical settings.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the feasibility of simultaneous dual-tracer imaging using a CZT-based scanner in patients with acute myocardial infarction. The results showed high correlation between single- and dual-tracer imaging in assessing cardiac function, perfusion, and fatty acid metabolism. The study suggests that CZT-based scanners can be used for dual-tracer acquisitions in clinical settings effectively.