A Finnish researcher has invented a method that makes it possible to reduce myocardial perfusion SPECT imaging time by up to 50%, according to the University of Eastern Finland in Joensuu.
Tuija Kangasmaa's technique makes the scan session easier for the patient, the university said. Kangasmaa has also developed two additional methods that correct errors resulting from patient movement during the scan.
Kangasmaa's work focused on reducing myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) SPECT procedure time by using collimator response compensation and performing stress/rest MPI scans simultaneously using different radiopharmaceuticals -- correcting image problems caused by a long procedure times. The methods validated in the study have been integrated into a commercial MP image reconstruction package, and they are currently in clinical use in dozens of hospitals, both in Finland and all over the world, according to the university.
The research results have been published in the International Journal of Molecular Imaging and Annals of Nuclear Medicine (July 2014, Vol. 28:6, pp. 580-585).
