Diagnosis of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy by Fourier analysis of gated blood pool single-photon emission tomography

To evaluate the diagnostic performance of Fourier phase analysis of gated b lood pool single-photon emission computed tomography (GBP SPECT) in arrhyth mogenic right ventricular (RV) cardiomyopathy, 18 patients with confirmed a rrhythmogenic RV cardiomyopathy underwent GBP SPECT and x-ray cineangiograp hy. Results were compared with data obtained with GBP SPECT in 10 control s ubjects. This 3-dimensional method demonstrated good correlation with cinea ngiography for measurements of RV enlargement and extent of the disease; RV and left ventricular segments were analyzed with the same accuracy, Tomogr aphic abnormalities were significant decreased RV ejection fraction, RV dil atation, nonsynchronized contraction of the ventricles, increased RV contra ction dispersion, presence of segmental RV wall motion disorders and/or pha se delays, and occasionally regional left ventricular abnormalities. RV-del ayed phase areas were always present in our population. A scoring system wi th RV criteria was proposed to diagnose RV disease. Because Fourier analysi s of GBP SPECT provides ventricular morphologic information for the right v entricle with the same accuracy as for the left ventricle, it may replace p lanar radionuclide studies. Therefore, this method is helpful in patients w ith a strong clinical suspicion of arrhythmogenic RV cardiomyopathy, and sh ould be used as a screening method before right ventriculography, (C) 1998 by Excerpta Medica, Inc.