An automated approach for quantification of relative regional myocardial blood flow, using SPECT Tc99m-sestamibi: preliminary validation in a canine model

摘要

Computer software for automation of single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) quantification was developed. This software includes a simplified automatic edge and center detection algorithm for SPECT images in short axis slices. Furthermore, it provides quantification and display of mean circumferential count profiles. This SPECT quantification algorithm, based on mean count density was validated with postmortem measurements of transmural blood flow, using a canine model of left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) occlusion. The quantitative results were presented by three dimensional (3D) gray scale cine, static topographic map, and 3D circumferential mean count profiles, and showed good correlation with postmortem relative regional myocardial blood flow.