Role of the clinical radiopharmacist in patient safety during myocardial perfusion imaging with vasodilator stress agents.

AIM: To assess the radiopharmacist's role in a multidisciplinary team focused on the contraindications of regadenoson in order to ensure the safe use of pharmacologic vasodilator stress agents in patients undergoing SPECT-MPI. METHODS: We ambispectively studied its safe use in 1905 patients (54.1% female, mean age: 66.6±11.7 years, range: 20-95 years). Sex, age, medical history, medications, drug allergies, and contraindications for stress testing were registered together with recommendations for the nuclear physician in charge. RESULTS: Detected contraindications and corresponding recommendations were as follows: risk factors for QTc interval prolongation 7.5% - measurement of QTc interval previously to test and monitor ECG; prior stroke or TIA 4.2% - consider carotid stenosis assessment; salicylates/sulfonamides allergy 3.1% - use 99mTc-sestamibi; epilepsy or risk factors for seizures 2.4% - use of adenosine or reconsider test indication; systemic corticosteroid therapy for severe COPD 1.3% - reassessment of patient's condition; acute exacerbation of COPD 0.8% - defer test until acute episode is over; severe asthma 0.4% - do not perform test; methylxanthine ingestion 0.3% - avoid consumption previously; other 6.1% - evaluation of other contraindications. No contraindications were detected in 73.6% of patients. The test was canceled due to absolute contraindications in 2.9% of the requests. CONCLUSIONS: Working in a systematic way, the radiopharmacist was able to detect a high number of issues related to regadenoson, with one out of four patients presenting some clinical contraindication. The recommendations given by the radiopharmacist were well accepted by the nuclear physicians who changed their approach contributing to increase the safety of patients referred for MPI.

La cardiología nuclear en la pandemia COVID-19 / Nuclear Cardiology in the COVID-19 pandemic

La infección por SARS-CoV-2 tiene una relación muy importante con la patología cardiovascular. Desde el inicio de la pandemia se objetivó una relación estrecha entre la comorbilidad cardiovascular y un peor pronóstico de los pacientes COVID-19. El estudio de la fisiopatología de la infección por SARS-CoV-2 y la enfermedad cardiovascular sugieren varias hipótesis concomitantes: el daño miocárdico directo por el virus, la hipoxemia secundaria a la insuficiencia respiratoria, la respuesta inflamatoria a la infección y/o los fenómenos tromboembólicos. El daño cardiovascular se puede manifestar en la fase aguda de la infección con cuadros de infarto agudo de miocardio, miocarditis, arritmias…, durante esta fase los procedimientos de Cardiología Nuclear no han tenido un papel determinante en el diagnóstico y manejo de estos pacientes. En cambio, en la fase subaguda de la infección y en el síndrome del COVID post-agudo la Cardiología Nuclear parece ofrecer luz a lo que sucede en el sistema cardiovascular en esta fase de la enfermedad. La pandemia de la COVID-19 ha representado un gran reto para los sistemas de salud constatándose una reducción importante de pruebas diagnósticas no urgentes con el objetivo de disminuir el riesgo de transmisión a pacientes y personal sanitario. La Cardiología Nuclear no ha sido una excepción. Además de la priorización de pruebas urgentes/preferentes y las medidas generales de screening, higiene y distancia, los principales organismos y sociedades científicas de Medicina Nuclear y Cardiología Nuclear han elaborado recomendaciones y guías para su práctica segura introduciendo notables cambios en los protocolos SPECT de perfusión miocárdica (AU)

SARS-CoV-2 infection has a very important relationship with cardiovascular disease. Since the beginning of the pandemic, a close relationship has been observed between cardiovascular comorbidity and a worse prognosis in COVID-19 patients. The study of the pathophysiology of SARS-CoV-2 infection and cardiovascular disease suggests several concomitant hypotheses: direct myocardial damage by the virus, hypoxemia secondary to respiratory failure, inflammatory response to infection and/or thromboembolic phenomena. Cardiovascular damage can manifest in the acute phase of infection with acute myocardial infarction, myocarditis, arrhythmias..., during this phase Nuclear Cardiology procedures have not played a determining role in the diagnosis and management of these patients. On the other hand, in the subacute phase of the infection and in the post-acute COVID syndrome, Nuclear Cardiology seems to shed light on what happens in the cardiovascular system in this phase of the disease. The COVID-19 pandemic has represented a great challenge for health systems, with a significant reduction in non-urgent diagnostic procedures with the aim of reducing the risk of transmission to patients and health personnel. Nuclear Cardiology has not been an exception. In addition to the prioritization of urgent/non-deferrable procedures and general screening, hygiene and distance measures, the main organizations and scientific societies of Nuclear Medicine and Nuclear Cardiology released recommendations and guidelines for safe practice, introducing significant changes in myocardial perfusion SPECT protocol (AU)

Assessment of pulmonary embolism related to active SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnant women.

AIM: To analyze a sample of pregnant patients who underwent pulmonary perfusion scintigraphy to rule out suspicion of pulmonary embolism (PE) during the acute COVID-19 infection hospitalization period in our hospital. MATERIAL AND METHODS: SPECT scintigraphy with a reduced dose (111MBq) of 99mTc-macroaggregated albumin was performed in all the patients (n=5). The images obtained were interpreted by comparing the findings with the radiological images according to the PISAPED criteria. RESULTS: Only one of the 5 patients was diagnosed with PE. Two patients showed pathological scintigraphy findings attributable to radiological alterations due to COVID-19 pneumonia, and the other two had normal pulmonary perfusion. CONCLUSION: Given the non-specific features of the clinical manifestations and d-dimer values ​​in COVID-19, as well as their similarity to those of PE, pulmonary perfusion scintigraphy plays a crucial role in the screening of PE in these patients due to its high sensitivity and lower irradiation compared to CT. Despite the limited number of patients, the results obtained have special relevance due to the absence of scientific publications in this group of patients within the exceptional context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

[Nuclear Cardiology in the COVID-19 pandemic]. / La cardiología nuclear en la pandemia COVID-19.

SARS-CoV-2 infection has a very important relationship with cardiovascular disease. Since the beginning of the pandemic, a close relationship has been observed between cardiovascular comorbidity and a worse prognosis in COVID-19 patients. The study of the pathophysiology of SARS-CoV-2 infection and cardiovascular disease suggests several concomitant hypotheses: direct myocardial damage by the virus, hypoxemia secondary to respiratory failure, inflammatory response to infection and/or thromboembolic phenomena. Cardiovascular damage can manifest in the acute phase of infection with acute myocardial infarction, myocarditis, arrhythmias..., during this phase Nuclear Cardiology procedures have not played a determining role in the diagnosis and management of these patients. On the other hand, in the subacute phase of the infection and in the post-acute COVID syndrome, Nuclear Cardiology seems to shed light on what happens in the cardiovascular system in this phase of the disease.The COVID-19 pandemic has represented a great challenge for health systems, with a significant reduction in non-urgent diagnostic procedures with the aim of reducing the risk of transmission to patients and health personnel. Nuclear Cardiology has not been an exception. In addition to the prioritization of urgent/non-deferrable procedures and general screening, hygiene and distance measures, the main organizations and scientific societies of Nuclear Medicine and Nuclear Cardiology released recommendations and guidelines for safe practice, introducing significant changes in myocardial perfusion SPECT protocols.

Safety of regadenoson in patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease / Seguridad de regadenosón en pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica severa

Objective. To assess the safety of regadenoson, a selective agonist of A2A adenosine receptors, combined with low-level exercise in subjects with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), referred for myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI). Methods. We studied prospectively 12 male patients with severe COPD. Stress was 4min of low-level exercise with bolus injection of regadenoson (0.4mg) at 1.5min, followed by 99mTc-MPI agent injection. Demographics, medical history, lung medications, adverse events, oxygen saturation (SatO2), MPI findings for coronary artery disease (CAD), and changes in systolic blood pressure (SBP), and heart rate (HR) were registered. Results. The observed adverse event profile of regadenoson was similar to that of patients with mild-moderate COPD. There was no clinical exacerbation of COPD. Adverse events were self-limiting: dyspnea (33.3%), fatigue (25.0%), chest pain, headache (16.7%, respectively), and gastrointestinal discomfort, dry mouth, flushing, feeling hot and dizziness (8.3%, respectively). 25.0% of patients did not report any symptoms. We observed significant increases in SBP and HR from baseline (142.6mmHg±22.3 vs 152.5mmHg±18.5, and 80 b.p.m.±18 vs 105 b.p.m.±22, respectively; p<0.05). Conclusions. Regadenoson combined with low-level exercise is safe and well tolerated in stable patients with severe COPD undergoing MPI (AU)

Objetivo. Evaluar la seguridad de regadenosón, un agonista selectivo de los receptores adenosínicos A2A, combinado con ejercicio de baja intensidad, en sujetos con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC) severa, en estudios de perfusión miocárdica. Métodos. Se estudiaron de forma prospectiva 12 pacientes con EPOC severa (todos ellos varones). El estrés consistió en la realización de un ejercicio de baja intensidad durante 4min junto con la administración de un bolo de regadenosón (0,4mg) a los 1,5min, seguido de la inyección del radiofármaco tecneciado de perfusión miocárdica. Se registraron los datos demográficos, el historial médico, la medicación para patología respiratoria, los efectos adversos, la saturación de oxígeno (SatO2), los hallazgos de enfermedad coronaria en el estudio de perfusión miocárdica y los cambios en la presión arterial sistólica (PAS) y la frecuencia cardiaca (FC). Resultados. El perfil de efectos adversos de regadenosón fue similar al de pacientes con EPOC leve-moderada. No se produjeron exacerbaciones clínicas de la EPOC. Los efectos adversos experimentados, todos autolimitados, fueron disnea (33,3%), cansancio (25%), dolor torácico, cefalea (16,7%, respectivamente), molestias gastrointestinales, boca seca, rubefacción, calor y mareos (8,3%, respectivamente). El 25% de los pacientes no informaron síntomas. Se observaron aumentos significativos desde los valores basales de la PAS y la FC (142,6mmHg±22,3 vs 152,5mmHg±18,5 y 80l.p.m.±18 vs 105l.p.m.±22, respectivamente; p<0,05). Conclusiones. Regadenosón combinado con ejercicio de baja intensidad es seguro y bien tolerado en pacientes con EPOC severa estable sometidos a estudios de perfusión miocárdica (AU)

Safety of regadenoson in patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the safety of regadenoson, a selective agonist of A2A adenosine receptors, combined with low-level exercise in subjects with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), referred for myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI). METHODS: We studied prospectively 12 male patients with severe COPD. Stress was 4min of low-level exercise with bolus injection of regadenoson (0.4mg) at 1.5min, followed by (99m)Tc-MPI agent injection. Demographics, medical history, lung medications, adverse events, oxygen saturation (SatO2), MPI findings for coronary artery disease (CAD), and changes in systolic blood pressure (SBP), and heart rate (HR) were registered. RESULTS: The observed adverse event profile of regadenoson was similar to that of patients with mild-moderate COPD. There was no clinical exacerbation of COPD. Adverse events were self-limiting: dyspnea (33.3%), fatigue (25.0%), chest pain, headache (16.7%, respectively), and gastrointestinal discomfort, dry mouth, flushing, feeling hot and dizziness (8.3%, respectively). 25.0% of patients did not report any symptoms. We observed significant increases in SBP and HR from baseline (142.6mmHg±22.3 vs 152.5mmHg±18.5, and 80 b.p.m.±18 vs 105 b.p.m.±22, respectively; p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Regadenoson combined with low-level exercise is safe and well tolerated in stable patients with severe COPD undergoing MPI.

Calciphylaxis, a cause of 99mTc-diphosphonate soft-tissue uptake / Calcifilaxis, una causa de captación de 99mTc-difosfonatos en partes blandas

No disponible

Utilidad de la SPECT-TAC en la identificación de fístulas en una peritoneogammagrafía / Utility of SPECT-CT in the identification of fistulas in a peritoneal scintigraphy

No disponible

Gammagrafía salival cuantitativa en pacientes con cáncer de cabeza y cuello tratados con radioterapia / Quantitative salivary gland scintigraphy in head and neck cancer patients following radiotherapy

Objetivo. Determinar el papel de la gammagrafía salival (GS) cuantitativa en la detección de alteraciones funcionales de las glándulas salivales en pacientes con cáncer de cabeza y cuello tratados con radioterapia (RT). Material y métodos. Se estudió a 19 pacientes (17 varones) con edad media de 62,4 años (44–75). Se realizaron tres estudios a cada paciente: basal, a los 3 y a los 18 meses tras la RT. La gammagrafía salival se realizó con 3,7MBq/kg de 99mTc-pertecnetato durante 25 minutos y zumo de limón al final del minuto 15. Se calculó la fracción de excreción (FE), las cuentas máximas/minuto/píxel/MBq (CMPM), el porcentaje de captación a partir de las curvas actividad/tiempo de áreas de interés sobre ambas glándulas parótidas (GP) y glándulas submaxilares (GSM) y la influencia de las dosis recibidas por las parótidas. Resultados. La FE mostró una disminución significativa del estudio basal a los 3 meses (p<0,001), tanto en las GP como en las GSM, y a los 18 meses en las GSM (p<0,001). Se observó un aumento significativo de la FE del estudio a los 3 meses al de los 18 meses (p<0,05). Resultados. La CMPM no cambió significativamente en las GP desde el estudio basal a los de 3 y 18 meses, pero sí en las GSM con disminución significativa (p<0,01) desde el estudio basal al de 18 meses. El porcentaje de captación no cambió significativamente. Se observó correlación moderada entre la dosis a parótidas y los parámetros a los 3 meses post-RT (p<0,05). Conclusiones. La FE presentó mayor sensibilidad que la captación al efecto de la RT sobre la función salival, mostrando, además, recuperación funcional a lo largo del tiempo en las GP(AU)

Objective. To assess the role of quantitative salivary gland scintigraphy (SGS) in the detection of functional impairment of salivary glands in patients with head and neck cancer treated with radiotherapy (RT). Material and methods. We studied 19 patients (17 men), mean age 62.4 years (44–75). Three studies were performed to each patient: baseline, 3 and 18 months after RT. SGS was acquired for 25 minutes following injection of 3.7MBq/kg of 99mTc-pertechnetate with lemon juice at the end of minute 15. Material and methods. Excretion fraction (EF), counts per minute/pixel/MBq (CMPM) and uptake percentage were obtained from time-activity curves from ROIs placed over parotid (PG) and submandibular glands (SMG) and related to the doses received by the PG. Results. EF showed a significant reduction from the baseline to the 3 months study (p<0.001) for the PG and SMG and from the baseline to the 18 months study for the SMG (p<0.001). A significant improvement of EF was seen from the 3 months to the 18 months study for the PG (p<0.05). Results. CMPM did not change significantly from the baseline to the 3 months and 18 months studies for the PG and showed a significant reduction (p<0.01) for the SMG from the baseline to 18 months study. The uptake percentage did not change significantly between studies. A moderate association was observed between the doses to PG and the 3m study parameters. Conclusions. EF was more sensitive than uptake in assessing post-RT impairment of salivary function. In addition, it reflected functional recovery of parotid glands over time(AU)

[Quantitative salivary gland scintigraphy in head and neck cancer patients following radiotherapy]. / Gammagrafía salival cuantitativa en pacientes con cáncer de cabeza y cuello tratados con radioterapia.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the role of quantitative salivary gland scintigraphy (SGS) in the detection of functional impairment of salivary glands in patients with head and neck cancer treated with radiotherapy (RT). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied 19 patients (17 men), mean age 62.4 years (44-75). Three studies were performed to each patient: baseline, 3 and 18 months after RT. SGS was acquired for 25 minutes following injection of 3.7 MBq/kg of (99m)Tc-pertechnetate with lemon juice at the end of minute 15. Excretion fraction (EF), counts per minute/pixel/MBq (CMPM) and uptake percentage were obtained from time-activity curves from ROIs placed over parotid (PG) and submandibular glands (SMG) and related to the doses received by the PG. RESULTS: EF showed a significant reduction from the baseline to the 3 months study (p<0.001) for the PG and SMG and from the baseline to the 18 months study for the SMG (p<0.001). A significant improvement of EF was seen from the 3 months to the 18 months study for the PG (p<0.05). CMPM did not change significantly from the baseline to the 3 months and 18 months studies for the PG and showed a significant reduction (p<0.01) for the SMG from the baseline to 18 months study. The uptake percentage did not change significantly between studies. A moderate association was observed between the doses to PG and the 3m study parameters. CONCLUSIONS: EF was more sensitive than uptake in assessing post-RT impairment of salivary function. In addition, it reflected functional recovery of parotid glands over time.