LAUSR

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-( 99m Tc-tetrofosmin (TF) or 123 I-BMIPP first) followed by simultaneous 99m Tc-TF / 123 I-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 99m Tc-TF: 0.97/ for 123 I-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 99m Tc-TF / 123 I-BMIPP dual-tracer acquisitions in clinical settings.