Left ventricular function and perfusion from gated SPECT perfusion images:An integrated method

A new technique for computing left ventricular function, including left ven tricular volumes, mass and ejection fraction, has been developed. This meth od is a logical extension of the results of a standard perfusion quantifica tion technique; thus, it allows integration of perfusion and functional inf ormation. Methods: Anatomically based models of the endocardial and epicard ial surfaces are generated using the myocardial samples for which perfusion values are quantified, for all frames in the cardiac cycle. With these sur face points, left ventricular chamber volume and myocardial volume can be c omputed. A computer simulation was used to determine the sensitivity of the approach to the assumptions of the model. Validation of volume, mass and e jection fraction was performed with correlative MR studies, and ejection fr action and left ventricular volumes were further investigated using correla tive first-pass studies. Results: Automated processing was successful in 96 % of the cases analyzed, End diastolic volume, end systolic volume, left ve ntricular mass and left ventricular ejection fraction correlated with MRI w ith r = 0.97, 0.99, 0.87, and 0.85, respectively. Ejection fraction from to mography correlated with first-pass values with r = 0.82, and end diastolic and end systolic volumes from tomography correlated with first-pass values with r = 0.85 and r = 0.91, respectively. Conclusion: The new integrated a pproach is accurate and robust for computing both perfusion and function fr om perfusion tomograms.