Quantitative analysis of regional wall motion and thickening by quantitative gated SPECT comparison with visual analysis

Purpose: Electrocardiograph-gated myocardial SPECT permits a quantitative a ssessment of global and regional functions by quantitative gated SPECT soft ware. To validate quantitative indexes of wall motion and wall thickening, the authors compared these indexes with visual scores, Materials and Methods: Gated myocardial SPECT was performed 60 minutes afte r the administration of Tc-99m sestamibi at rest in 42 patients with corona ry artery disease. Regional wail motion (measured in millimeters and wall t hickening (expressed as a percentage) were calculated by quantitative gated SPECT software in nine left ventricular myocardial segments and the result s were compared with the five-point visual score interpretations of cinemat ic display. Results: A high correlation of wall motion was observed between the quantit ative and visual analyses (r = 0.810; P < 0.001). In addition, a high but s omewhat less significant correlation of wall thickening was observed betwee n the quantitative and visual analyses (r = 0.606; P < 0.001). Conclusions: In conclusion, regional wall motion and wall thickening can be evaluated quantitatively by electrocardiograph-gated myocardial SPECT and quantitative gated SPECT software. This will be useful for functional asses sments made with various interventions.