Improvement of myocardial perfusion SPECT studies with a cardio-dedicated CZT gamma camera. Comparison with an analogical SPECT/CT gamma camera

To show the improvement in myocardial perfusion SPECT studies achieved in the year 2023 using a cardio-dedicated CZT gamma camera, compared to year 2021 when using an analogical SPECT/CT gamma camera.

We have collected data on nuclear cardiology care activity for the years 2021, 2022 and 2023, including patients treated in our institution. In 2021 myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) studies were performed primarily on an analogical SPECT/CT gamma camera, which was replaced by a cardio-dedicated CZT in 2022. In 2023 MPI was carried out mainly in the new CZT gamma camera. For comparison we have selected the SPECT MPI studies performed in 2021 (one day protocol mainly with 18 + 12 minutes acquisition plus 10 minutes for in-out patient), and 2023 MPI studies (one day protocol mainly with 6 + 4 minutes acquisition plus 10 minutes for in-out patient).

(Results Table) With the new CZT cardio-dedicated gamma camera, the number of stress SPECT increased by 442 (31%) and rest SPECT by 341 (23%), with a total annual increase of 783 SPECT studies (27%) in 2023 compared to 2021. Furthermore, the complexity of SPECT studies has increased in 2023, since part of the studies carried out (68) correspond to SPECT studies of myocardial blood flow, which are obtained in the same gamma camera simultaneously. In addition, the gamma camera acquisition time has reduced by 66% (from 30 to 10 minutes), and the patient total time has reduced by half (from 40 to 20 minutes). Counts in the cardiac area have increased on average more than 1000 times (14 million counts for a low dose study and 32 million for a high dose study).

The improvement achieved in SPECT studies for myocardial perfusion after upgrading to a cardio-dedicated CZT gamma camera has been an annual increase of 27% in number of SPECT studies, and a decrease in patient total time by half, which has allowed implementing more complex studies, such as evaluation of myocardial blood flow.