Comparison of Taiwanese and European Calibration Factors for Heart-to-Mediastinum Ratio in Multicenter 123I-mIBG Phantom Studies.

Background: Cross-calibration of 123I-labeled meta-iodobenzylguanidine (mIBG) myocardial-derived indices is essential to extrapolate findings from several clinical centers. Here, we conducted a phantom study to generate conversion coefficients for the calibration of heart-to-mediastinum ratios and compare them between Taiwan and Europe. Methods: We used an acrylic phantom dedicated to 123I-mIBG planar imaging to calculate the conversion coefficients of 136 phantom images derived from 36 Taiwanese institutions. A European phantom image database including 191 images from 27 institutions was used. Conversion coefficients were categorized into five collimator types: low-energy (LE) high-resolution (LEHR), LE general-purpose (LEGP), extended LEGP (ELEGP), medium-energy (ME) GP (MEGP), and ME low-penetration (MELP) collimators. Results: The conversion coefficients were 0.53 ± 0.039, 0.59 ± 0.032, 0.79 ± 0.032, 0.96 ± 0.038, and 0.99 ± 0.050 for LEHR, LEGP, ELEGP, MEGP, and MELP collimators, respectively. The Taiwanese and European conversion coefficients for the LEHR, LEGP, and MELP collimators did not significantly differ. The coefficient of variation was slightly higher for the Taiwanese than the European conversion coefficients (3.7%-7.5% vs. 2.3%-5.6%). Conclusions: We calculated conversion coefficients for various types of collimators used in Taiwan using a 123I-mIBG phantom. In general, the Taiwanese and European conversion coefficients were comparable. These findings further corroborated and highlighted the need for 123I-mIBG standardization using the phantom-determined conversion coefficients.

Cardiac 123I-mIBG Imaging in Heart Failure.

Cardiac sympathetic upregulation is one of the neurohormonal compensation mechanisms that play an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic heart failure (CHF). In the past decades, cardiac 123I-mIBG scintigraphy has been established as a feasible technique to evaluate the global and regional cardiac sympathetic innervation. Although cardiac 123I-mIBG imaging has been studied in many cardiac and neurological diseases, it has extensively been studied in ischemic and non-ischemic CHF. Therefore, this review will focus on the role of 123I-mIBG imaging in CHF. This non-invasive, widely available technique has been established to evaluate the prognosis in CHF. Standardization, especially among various combinations of gamma camera and collimator, is important for identifying appropriate thresholds for adequate risk stratification. Interestingly, in contrast to the linear relationship between 123I-mIBG-derived parameters and overall prognosis, there seems to be a "bell-shape" curve for 123I-mIBG-derived parameters in relation to ventricular arrhythmia or appropriate implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) therapy in patients with ischemic CHF. In addition, there is a potential clinical role for cardiac 123I-mIBG imaging in optimizing patient selection for implantation of expensive devices such as ICD and cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Based on cardiac 123I-mIBG data risk models and machine learning, models have been developed for appropriate risk assessment in CHF.

A simplified wall-based model for regional innervation/perfusion mismatch assessed by cardiac 123I-mIBG and rest 99mTc-tetrofosmin SPECT to predict arrhythmic events in ischaemic heart failure.

AIMS: Cardiac 123iodine-meta-iodobenzylguanidine (123I-mIBG) single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging provides information on regional myocardial innervation. However, the value of the commonly used 17-segment summed defect score (SDS) as a prognostic marker is uncertain. The present study examined whether a simpler regional scoring approach for evaluation of 123I-mIBG SPECT combined with rest 99mTc-tetrofosmin SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging could improve prediction of arrhythmic events (AEs) in patients with ischaemic heart failure (HF). METHODS AND RESULTS: Five hundred and two ischaemic HF subjects of the ADMIRE-HF study with complete cardiac 123I-mIBG and rest 99mTc-tetrofosmin SPECT studies were included. Both SPECT image sets were read together by two experienced nuclear imagers and scored by consensus. In addition to standard 17-segment scoring, the readers classified walls (i.e. anterior, lateral, inferior, septum and apex) as normal, matched defect, mismatched (innervation defect > perfusion defect), or reverse mismatched (perfusion defect > innervation defect). Cox proportional hazards ratios (HRs) were used to determine if age, body mass index, functional class, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), norepinephrine, 123I-mIBG SDS, 99mTc-tetrofosmin SDS, innervation/perfusion mismatch SDS, and our simplified visual innervation/perfusion wall classification were associated with occurrence of AEs (i.e. sudden cardiac death, sustained ventricular tachycardia, resuscitated cardiac arrest, appropriate implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy). At 2-year median follow-up, 52 subjects (10.4%) had AEs. Subjects with 1 or 2 mismatched walls were twice as likely to have AEs compared with subjects with either 0 or 3-5 mismatched walls (16.3% vs. 8.3%, P = 0.010). Cox regression analyses showed that patients with a visual mismatch in 1-2 walls had an almost two times higher risk of AEs [HR 2.084 (1.109-3.914), P = 0.001]. None of the other innervation, perfusion and mismatch scores using standard 17 segments were associated with AEs. BNP (ng/L) was the only non-imaging parameter associated with AEs. CONCLUSION: A visual left ventricular wall-level based scoring method identified highest AE risk in ischaemic HF subjects with intermediate levels of innervation/perfusion mismatches. This simple technique for the evaluation of SPECT studies, which are often challenging in HF subjects, seems to be superior to the 17-segment scoring method.

The role of myocardial innervation imaging in different clinical scenarios: an expert document of the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging and Cardiovascular Committee of the European Association of Nuclear Medicine.

Cardiac sympathetic activity plays a key role in supporting cardiac function in both health and disease conditions, and nuclear cardiac imaging has always represented the only way for the non-invasive evaluation of the functional integrity of cardiac sympathetic terminals, mainly through the use of radiopharmaceuticals that are analogues of norepinephrine and, in particular, with the use of 123I-mIBG imaging. This technique demonstrates the presence of cardiac sympathetic dysfunction in different cardiac pathologies, linking the severity of sympathetic nervous system impairment to adverse patient's prognosis. This article will outline the state-of-the-art of cardiac 123I-mIBG imaging and define the value and clinical applications in the different fields of cardiovascular diseases.

Role of cardiac 123I-mIBG imaging in predicting arrhythmic events in stable chronic heart failure patients with an ICD.

BACKGROUND: Despite therapeutic improvement, the prognosis of chronic heart failure (CHF) remains unfavorable partly due to arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death (SCD). This prospective study evaluated myocardial 123I-meta-iodobenzylguanidine (123I-mIBG) scintigraphy as a predictor of arrhythmic events (AE) in CHF patients. METHODS: 170 CHF patients referred for implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantation for both primary and secondary prevention were enrolled. All patients underwent planar and SPECT imaging. Early and late heart-to-mediastinum (H/M) ratio, 123I-mIBG washout (WO), early and late summed SPECT scores were calculated The primary endpoint was an AE: sustained ventricular tachycardia, resuscitated cardiac arrest, appropriate ICD therapy or SCD. The secondary endpoint was appropriate ICD therapy. RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 23.3 months, 69 patients experienced an AE. Early summed score (ESS) was the only independent predictor of AE [HR 1.023 (1.003-1.043)]. Focussing on only patients with an ICD for primary prevention, ESS was the only independent predictor of AE [HR 1.028 (1.007-1.050)]. 123I-mIBG-derived parameters failed to be independent predictors of appropriate ICD therapy. However there was a "bell-shaped" relation between 123I-mIBG scintigraphy-derived parameters and AE and appropriate ICD therapy, i.e., those with intermediate 123I-mIBG abnormalities tended to be at higher risk of events. CONCLUSION: Although SPECT 123I-mIBG scintigraphy was associated with AE in CHF patients with ICD implantation for primary and secondary prevention, no association was found between 123I-mIBG scintigraphy-derived parameters and appropriate ICD therapy.

A Novel 12-Lead Electrocardiographic System for Home Use: Development and Usability Testing.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Early diagnosis is of pivotal importance for patients with cardiac arrhythmias and ischemia to minimize the consequences like strokes and myocardial infarctions. The chance of capturing signals of arrhythmias or ischemia is substantially high when a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) can be recorded at the moment when a patient experiences the symptoms. However, until now, available diagnostic systems (Holter monitors and other wearable ECG sensors) have not enabled patients to record a reliable 12-lead ECG at home. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this project was to develop a user-friendly system that enables persons with cardiac complaints to record a reliable 12-lead ECG at home to improve the diagnostic process and, consequently, reduce the time between the onset of symptoms and adequate treatment. METHODS: Using an iterative design approach, ECGraph was developed. The system consists of an ECG measurement system and a mobile app, which were developed with the help of several concept tests. To evaluate the design, a prototype of the final design was built and a final technical performance test and usability test were executed. RESULTS: The ECG measurement system consists of a belt and 4 limb straps. Ten wet Ag/AgCl electrodes are placed in the belt to optimize skin-electrode contact. The product is controlled via an app on the mobile phone of the user. Once a person experiences symptoms, he or she can put on the belt and record ECGs within a few minutes. Short instructions, supported by visualizations, offer guidance during use. ECGs are sent wirelessly to the caregiver, and the designated expert can quickly interpret the results. Usability tests with the final prototype (n=6) showed that the participants were able to put on the product within 8 minutes during first-time use. However, we expect that the placement of the product can be executed faster when the user becomes more familiar with the product. Areas of improvement focus mainly on confidence during product use. In the technical performance test, a 12-lead ECG was made and reproduced 6 times. CONCLUSIONS: We developed a new 12-lead ECG system for home use. The product is expected to be more user-friendly than current hospital ECG systems and is designed to record more reliable data than current ECG systems for home use, which makes it suitable for expert interpretation. The system has great potential to be incorporated into an outpatient practice, so that arrhythmias and ischemia can be diagnosed and treated as early as possible.

Polymorphism of SLC6A2 gene does not influence outcome of myocardial 123I-mIBG scintigraphy in patients with chronic heart failure.

AIM: The NET, encoded by SLC6A2, is responsible for presynaptic NE-reuptake. 123I-mIBG is clinically used to evaluate cardiac sympathetic function. However, it is unknown if polymorphism of SLC6A2 influences cardiac sympathetic activity as assessed with 123I-mIBG. Therefore we studied the influence of SLC6A2 SNPs on myocardial 123I-mIBG parameters in CHF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-nine adults with stable CHF (age 66.5 ± 8.1 years, LVEF 22.3 ± 6.4) were enrolled. Fifteen minutes (early) and 4 hours (late) after administration of 123I-mIBG planar images were acquired. The H/M ratio was calculated from the manually drawn ROI over the left ventricle and a fixed mediastinal ROI. Fourteen exons of the SLC6A2 gene were analyzed from whole blood samples. RESULTS: We found 6 different SLC6A2 SNPs, although none were functional. LVEF was the only independent predictor for early (adjusted R 2 = 0.063, p = 0.045) and late H/M ratio (adjusted R 2 = 0.116, p = 0.010). NT-proBNP was the only independent predictor for 123I-mIBG WO (adjusted R 2 = 0.074, p = 0.032). SLC6A2 SNPs were not associated with any myocardial 123I-mIBG-derived parameter. CONCLUSION: In this specific CHF population polymorphism of SLC6A2 gene was not associated with any 123I-mIBG derived parameters.

Myocardial 123I-mIBG scintigraphy in relation to markers of inflammation and long-term clinical outcome in patients with stable chronic heart failure.

AIM: Chronic heart failure (CHF) results in both increased cardiac sympathetic activity and myocardial inflammation. The aim of this study was to identify the relationship between severity of heart failure (i.e., NT-proBNP and LVEF), cardiac sympathetic activity (123I-mIBG scintigraphy), and measures of inflammation in subjects with stable, optimally treated CHF. In addition, the predictive value for cardiac events (i.e., ventricular arrhythmia, progression of CHF and cardiac death) of 123I-mIBG parameters and these inflammatory markers was evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-five CHF patients (age 66.3 ± 8.0 years, 78% male, LVEF 22.4 ± 6.3) referred for cardiac 123I-mIBG imaging were included. At 15 minutes (early) and 4 hours (late) after i.v. administration of 123I-mIBG (185 MBq), planar images were acquired. Early Heart/Mediastinum (H/M) ratio, late H/M ratio, and 123I-mIBG washout (WO) were calculated. NT-proBNP and markers of inflammation (i.e., C-reactive protein (CRP), IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p40, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), soluble (s)E-selectin, myeloperoxidase (MPO), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), tPA, tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) 1 and 2, and interferon (IFN) α and ß) were measured in blood plasma samples, taken just before 123I-mIBG administration. RESULTS: Mean early H/M ratio was 2.12 ± 0.39, late H/M ratio was 1.84 ± 0.40, and 123I-mIBG WO was 13.0 ± 10.9. LVEF was the only independent predictor of late H/M ratio (adjusted R 2 = 0.100, p = 0.011). NT-proBNP was an independent predictor of 123I-mIBG WO (adjusted R 2 = 0.090, p = 0.015). CRP, IL12p40, TNF-α, sE-selectin, MPO, PAI-1, tPA, and TNFR2 were not related to late H/M ratio and 123I-mIBG WO. During a median follow-up of 34 months (2-58 months), 13 patients experienced a cardiac event [ventricular arrhythmia (4), progression of CHF (4), and cardiac death (5)]. Univariate Cox regression analysis showed that the risk of a cardiac event was associated with CRP (HR 1.047 [1.013-1.081]), NT-proBNP (HR 1.141 [1.011-1.288]), MPO (HR 0.998 [0.996-1.000]), and late H/M ratio (HR 0.182 [0.035-0.946]). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that only CRP, NT-proBNP, MPO, and IL-12p40 were predictors of a cardiac event. CONCLUSION: Inflammation and cardiac sympathetic activity seem not to be related in stable CHF patients. This is corroborated by the finding that they both provide prognostic information in this specific CHF population. The current findings should be regarded as insightful but preliminary.

A European myocardial 123I-mIBG cross-calibration phantom study.

AIM: Planar myocardial 123I-meta-iodobenzylguanidine (123I-mIBG) scintigraphy is a highly reproducible technique. However, differences in collimator use are one of the most important factors that cause variation among institutions and studies in heart-to-mediastinum (H/M) ratio. Therefore, standardization among various gamma camera-collimator combinations is needed. Previously, a phantom has been developed to cross-calibrate different acquisition conditions in Japan. For further cross-calibration of European myocardial 123I-mIBG imaging, the aim of this study was to collect 123I-mIBG data for H/M ratios from common European gamma camera vendors. METHODS: 210 experiments were performed in 27 European institutions. Based on these experiments, conversion coefficients for each gamma camera-collimator combination were calculated. An averaged conversion coefficient of 0.88 was used to calculate a standardized H/M ratio. RESULTS: On average, LE-collimator-derived H/M ratios were significantly lower compared to ME-collimator-derived H/M ratios. The mean conversion coefficients ranged from 0.553 to 0.605 for the LE-collimator group and from 0.824 to 0.895 for the ME-collimator group. CONCLUSION: Clinically established H/M ratios can be converted into standardized H/M ratios using cross-calibrated conversion coefficients. This standardization is important for identifying appropriate thresholds for adequate risk stratification. In addition, this cross-calibration enables comparison between different national and international data.

Cardiac 123I-mIBG scintigraphy is associated with freedom of appropriate ICD therapy in stable chronic heart failure patients.

AIM: Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a life-threatening clinical syndrome, partly due to sudden cardiac death (SCD). Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) for primary prevention of SCD have improved overall survival of CHF patients. However, a high percentage of patients never receives appropriate ICD therapy. This prospective multicentre study evaluated whether cardiac sympathetic activity assessed by 123I-mIBG scintigraphy could be helpful in selecting patients for ICD implantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 135 stable CHF subjects (age 64.5±9.3years, 79% male, LVEF 25±6%) referred for prophylactic ICD implantation were enrolled in 13 institutions. All subjects underwent planar and SPECT 123I-mIBG scintigraphy. Early and late heart-to-mediastinum (H/M) ratio, 123I-mIBG washout (WO) and late summed scores were calculated. The primary endpoint was appropriate ICD therapy. The secondary endpoint was defined as the combined endpoint of all first cardiac events: appropriate ICD therapy, progression of heart failure (HF) and cardiac death. RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 30months (6-68months), 24 subjects (17.8%) experienced a first cardiac event (appropriate ICD therapy [12], HF progression [6], cardiac death [6]). Late H/M ratio and defect size of 123I-mIBG SPECT were not associated with appropriate ICD therapy. However, late H/M ratio was independently associated with the combined endpoint (HR 0.135 [0.035-0.517], p=0.001). Post-hoc analysis showed that the combination of late H/M ratio (HR 0.461 [0.281-0.757]) and LVEF (HR 1.052 [1.021-1.084]) was significantly associated with freedom of appropriate ICD therapy (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: 123I-mIBG scintigraphy seems to be helpful in selecting CHF subjects who might not benefit from ICD implantation.

Standardization of 123I-meta-iodobenzylguanidine myocardial sympathetic activity imaging: phantom calibration and clinical applications.

PURPOSE: Myocardial sympathetic imaging with 123I-meta-iodobenzylguanidine (123I-mIBG) has gained clinical momentum. Although the need for standardization of 123I-mIBG myocardial uptake has been recognized, the availability of practical clinical standardization approaches is limited. The need for standardization includes the heart-to-mediastinum ratio (HMR) and washout rate with planar imaging, and myocardial defect scoring with single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). METHODS: The planar HMR shows considerable variation due to differences in collimator design. These camera-collimator differences can be overcome by cross-calibration phantom experiments. The principles of these cross-calibration phantom experiments are summarized in this article. 123I-mIBG SPECT databases were compiled by Japanese Society of Nuclear Medicine working group. Literature was searched based on the words "123I-mIBG quantification method", "standardization", "heart-to-mediastinum ratio", and its application to "risk model". RESULTS: Calibration phantom experiments have been successfully performed in Japan and Europe. The benefit of these cross-calibration phantom experiments is that variation in the HMR between institutions is minimized including low-energy, low-medium-energy and medium-energy collimators. The use of myocardial 123I-mIBG SPECT can be standardized using 123I-mIBG normal databases as a basis for quantitative evaluation. This standardization method can be applied in cardiac event prediction models. CONCLUSION: Standardization of myocardial 123I-mIBG outcome parameters may facilitate a universal implementation of myocardial 123I-mIBG scintigraphy.

Cardiac sympathetic activity in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome.

AIM: 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS) affects catechol-O-methyl-transferase (COMT), which involves the degradation of norepinephrine (NE). Clinically, adults with 22q11.2DS are at increased risk for sudden unexpected death. Although the causes are likely multifactorial, increased cardiac sympathetic activity with subsequent fatal arrhythmia, due to increased levels of NE, should be considered as a possible mechanism predisposing to this premature death. The purpose of this study was to determine whether cardiac sympathetic activity is increased in 22q11.2DS, both at baseline and following an acute NE depletion with alpha-methyl-para-tyrosine (AMPT). METHODS: Five adults with 22q11.2DS and five age- and sex-matched healthy controls underwent 2 sessions with either AMPT or placebo administration before (123)I-mIBG scintigraphy. Heart-to-mediastinum ratios (H/M) were determined from the images 15min (early) and 4h (late) after administration of (123)I-mIBG and the washout (WO) was calculated as an indicator of adrenergic drive. RESULTS: At baseline there were no significant differences in both early and late H/M between 22q11.2DS and controls. However, there was a significant difference in WO between 22q11.2DS and controls (-4.92±2.8 and -10.44±7.2, respectively; p=0.027), but a "negative WO" does not support an increased sympathetic drive. In addition there was a trend towards a higher late H/M after AMPT administration compared to baseline which was more pronounced in 22q11.2DS. CONCLUSION: This study for the first time suggests normal cardiac sympathetic activity in adults with 22q11.2DS assessed by (123)I-mIBG scintigraphy. Although there is a small difference in adrenergic drive compared to healthy subjects, this most likely does not explain the increased unexpected death rate in the 22q11.2 DS population.

Cardiac sympathetic activity in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and Tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy.

123I-meta-iodobenzylguanidine (123I-mIBG) scintigraphy has been established as an important technique to evaluate cardiac sympathetic function and it has been shown to be of clinical value, especially for the assessment of prognosis, in many cardiac diseases. The majority of 123I-mIBG scintigraphy studies have focused on patients with cardiac dysfunction due to hypertension, ischemic heart disease, or valvular disease. However less is known about the role of 123I-mIBG scintigraphy in primary cardiomyopathies. This overview shows the clinical value of 123I-mIBG scintigraphy in two types of primary cardiomyopathy: The genetic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and the acquired Tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM). Cardiac sympathetic activity is increased in HCM and correlates to the septal wall thickness and consequently to the LVOT obstruction. Moreover, increased cardiac sympathetic activity correlates with impaired diastolic and systolic LV function. In addition, 123I-mIBG scintigraphy may be useful for determining the risk of developing congestive heart failure and ventricular tachycardia in these patients. In TCM 123I-mIBG scintigraphy can be used to assess cardiac sympathetic hyperactivity. In addition, 123I-mIBG scintigraphy may identify those patients who are prone to TCM recurrence and may help to identify responders to individual (pharmacological) therapy.

¹²³I-MIBG heart-to-mediastinum ratio is influenced by high-energy photon penetration of collimator septa from liver and lung activity.

AIM: The 123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (123I-MIBG) late heart-to-mediastinum ratio (H/M) is a well-established prognostic parameter in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). However, 123I presents imaging problems owing to high-energy photon emission leading to penetration of collimator septa and subsequent reduction in image quality. Most likely this affects the H/M ratio and may subsequently lead to incorrect patient risk classification. In this prospective study we assessed the intrapatient variation in late H/M ratio between low-energy high-resolution (LEHR) and medium-energy (ME) collimators in patients with CHF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-three patients with CHF (87% male, age 63±8.3 years, left ventricular ejection fraction 29±7.8) referred for 123I-MIBG scintigraphy were enrolled in the study. In each patient, after the administration of 185 MBq I-MIBG, early (15 min after injection) and late (4 h after injection) planar anterior thoracic images were acquired with both LEHR and ME collimators. Early and late H/M ratios were calculated on the basis of the mean count densities from the manually drawn regions of interest (ROIs) over the left ventricle and a predefined fixed ROI placed in the upper mediastinum. Additional ROIs were drawn over the liver and lungs. Liver/lung to myocardium and liver/lung to mediastinal ratios were calculated to estimate the effect of collimator septa penetration from liver and lung activity on the myocardial and mediastinal ROIs. RESULTS: The mean LEHR collimator-derived parameters were lower compared with those from the ME collimator (late H/M 1.41±0.18 vs. 1.80±0.41, P<0.001). Moreover, Bland-Altman analysis showed that with increasing late H/M ratios the difference between the ratios from the two collimator types increased (R2=0.73, P=0.001). Multivariate regression analysis showed that almost 90% of the variation in the difference between ME and LEHR late H/M ratios could be explained by scatter from the liver in both the mediastinal and myocardial ROIs (R2=0.90, P=0.001). Independent predictors for the difference in the late H/M between ME and LEHR were the liver-to-heart ratio and the liver-to-mediastinum ratio assessed by ME (standardized coefficient of -1.69 and 1.16, respectively) and LEHR (standardized coefficient of 1.24 and -0.90, respectively) (P<0.001 for all). CONCLUSION: Intrapatient comparison in H/M between the ME and LEHR collimators in patients with CHF showed that with increasing H/M the difference between the ratios increased in favour of the ME collimator. These differences could be explained by septal penetration of high-energy photons from both the liver and the lung in the mediastinum and myocardium, being lowest when using the ME collimator. These results strengthen the importance of the recommendation to use ME collimators in semiquantitative 123I-MIBG studies.

For what endpoint does myocardial 123I-MIBG scintigraphy have the greatest prognostic value in patients with chronic heart failure? Results of a pooled individual patient data meta-analysis.

AIMS: The purpose of this study was to determine the most appropriate prognostic endpoint for myocardial (123)I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scintigraphy in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) based on aggregate results from multiple studies published in the past decade. METHODS AND RESULTS: Original individual late (3-5 h) heart/mediastinum (H/M) ratio data of 636 CHF patients were retrieved from six studies from Europe and the USA. All-cause mortality, cardiac mortality, arrhythmic events, and heart transplantation were investigated to determine which provided the strongest prognostic significance for the MIBG imaging data. The majority of patients was male (78%), had a decreased left ventricular ejection fraction (31.1 ± 12.5%), and a mean late H/M of 1.67 ± 0.47. During follow-up (mean 36.9 ± 20.1 months), there were 83 deaths, 67 cardiac deaths, 33 arrhythmic events, and 56 heart transplants. In univariate regression analysis, late H/M was a significant predictor of all event categories, but lowest hazard ratios (HRs) were for the composite endpoint of any event (HR = 0.30, 95% CI 0.19-0.46), all-cause (HR = 0.29, 95% CI 0.16-0.53), and cardiac mortality (HR = 0.28, 95% CI 0.14-0.55). In multivariate analysis, late H/M was an independent predictor for all event categories, except for arrhythmias. CONCLUSIONS: This pooled individual patient data meta-analysis showed that, in CHF patients, the late H/M ratio is not only useful as a dichotomous predictor of events (high vs. low risk), but also has prognostic implication over the full range of the outcome value for all event categories except arrhythmias.

Impact of a predefined mediastinal ROI on inter-observer variability of planar ¹²³I-MIBG heart-to-mediastinum ratio.

AIM: Purpose of this study was to assess the impact of mediastinal region of interest (ROI) definition on intra- and inter-observer variability in relation to collimator type. METHODS: Thirty-five subjects with CHF (80% men, mean age 66 ± 9 years, NYHA 2.4 ± 0.5, LVEF 29 ± 8.4%) were enrolled. 15 minutes and 4 hours post-injection (p.i.) of (123)I-MIBG, planar images were sequentially acquired with low energy high energy (LEHR) and medium energy (ME) collimators. In the first analysis, observer-defined mediastinal ROI was used. In the second analysis, a predefined mediastinal ROI was used. Intra- and inter-observer variability of late H/M was assessed using Lin's concordance coefficient (LCC). RESULTS: There was substantial agreement between all three observers using predefined mediastinum ROI. LCCs for LEHR were 0.98, 0.96, and 0.95, for ME 0.98, 0.97, and 0.97. However, observer-defined mediastinal ROI resulted in poor-moderate agreement. LCCs for LEHR were 0.82, 0.94, and 0.70, for ME 0.77, 0.91, and 0.80. Intra-observer analysis using predefined mediastinal ROI showed substantial agreement. LCC was 0.97 for LEHR and 0.96 for ME. CONCLUSION: Predefined mediastinal ROI results in low intra- and inter-observer variability of late H/M and is, therefore, to be preferred over observer-defined mediastinal ROI. Intra- and inter-observer variability of late H/M is not influenced by collimator choice.

Tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy: how to understand possible pathophysiological mechanism and the role of (123)I-MIBG imaging.

Tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM) is an increasingly recognized clinical syndrome characterized by acute reversible apical ventricular dysfunction, commonly preceded by exposure to severe physical or emotional stress. In this review, we give a short overview on clinical presentation and treatment of TCM and discuss the possible pathophysiological mechanisms of TCM and the role of various non-invasive imaging modalities in TCM with a focus on the potential role of (123)I-meta-iodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scintigraphy. Currently, the dominating hypothesis on the pathophysiology of TCM postulates that high levels of the neurotransmitter epinephrine may trigger a change in intracellular signaling in ventricular myocytes. More specific, epinephrine stimulates G-protein coupled ß2 adenoreceptors (ß2AR) which are located on ventricular myocytes. Normal levels of this neurotransmitter predominantly stimulate the intracellular G-protein, and induce a positive inotropic effect. However, with significant increasing levels of epinephrine, the predominance of stimulation is shifted from G-stimulating to the G-inhibitor protein coupling, which leads to a negative inotropic effect. Interestingly, this negative inotropic effect is the largest in the apical myocardium where the ß2AR:ß1AR ratio is the highest within the heart. Echocardiography and ventriculography are essential to diagnose TCM, but new imaging tools are promising to diagnose TCM and to evaluate therapeutic efficacy. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance can be used to differentiate TCM from other myocardial diseases, such as myocarditis. (123)I-meta-iodobenzylguanidine ((123)I-MIBG) scintigraphy can be used to assess ventricular adrenergic activity and may guide optimization of individual (pharmacological) therapy. These new insights into the possible pathophysiological mechanisms and novel diagnostic imaging modalities can be used as starting point for the development of international guidelines of TCM which may increase the awareness, and optimize the treatment of TCM.

Renal Function in Relation to Cardiac (123)I-MIBG Scintigraphy in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure.

The aim of this study was to explore if estimates of renal function could explain variability of (123)I-metaiodobenzylguanidine ((123)I-MIBG) assessed myocardial sympathetic activity. Furthermore estimates of renal function were compared to (123)I-MIBG as predictors of cardiac death in chronic heart failure (CHF). Semi-quantitative parameters of (123)I-MIBG myocardial uptake and washout were calculated using early heart/mediastinum ratio (H/M), late H/M and washout. Renal function was calculated as estimated Creatinine Clearance (e-CC) and as estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (e-GFR). Thirty-nine patients with CHF (24 males; age: 64.4 ± 10.5 years; NYHA II/III/IV: 17/20/2; LVEF: 24.0 ± 11.5%) were studied. Variability in any of the semi-quantitative (123)I-MIBG myocardial parameters could not be explained by e-CC or e-GFR. During follow-up (60 ± 37 months) there were 6 cardiac deaths. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis showed that late H/M was the only independent predictor for cardiac death (Chi-square 3.2, regression coefficient: -4.095; standard error: 2.063; hazard ratio: 0.17 [95% CI: 0.000-0.950]). Addition of estimates of renal function did not significantly change the Chi-square of the model. Semi-quantitative (123)I-MIBG myocardial parameters are independent of estimates of renal function. In addition, cardiac sympathetic innervation assessed by (123)I-MIBG scintigraphy seems to be superior to renal function in the prediction of cardiac death in CHF patients.