RETURN TO ABSTRACT LISTING


Background
Myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) is an important diagnostic modality for evaluating patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease. Its roles include detection, prognosis, and response to therapy of poorly perfused myocardium. The addition of SPECT and PET has expanded the modality’s utility even further, allowing for both anatomical correlation and quantification of myocardial blood flow. Accurate interpretation is hindered, however, by numerous potential artifacts stemming from patient anatomy, nuclear imaging equipment and the actions of both the technologist and patient. The purpose of this exhibit is to discuss and demonstrate various artifacts that may alter an MPI study, as well as how to identify such artifacts from the use of raw data analysis, patient history, and secondary imaging modalities.

Educational Goals / Teaching Points
Describe common artifacts encountered on nuclear cardiac perfusion imaging. Describe the mechanism of the artifacts. Differentiate real findings from artifacts. Utilization of secondary imaging to recognize artifacts.

Key Anatomic/Physiologic Issues and Imaging Findings/Techniques
Myocardial perfusion imaging, myocardial ischemia, and cardiac imaging.

Conclusion
MPI is an important nuclear medicine procedure for evaluating coronary artery disease. Given the numerous artifacts that may impede accurate interpretation, it is crucial for trainees to become familiar with artifactual findings, their causes, and how to utilize raw data, secondary imaging, and patient history to properly differentiate artifacts from positive findings.