Estimation of right ventricular ejection fraction using first-pass FDG-PET imaging | Andreas Ettrup Clemmensen
| | Abstract | The right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) is an important diagnostic marker, but its complex shape, placement and contraction pattern makes estimations of its viability challenging. Different modalities is used for estimating RVEF, with first-pass radionuclide ventriculography (RNV) as one of the most precise and reliable modalities. Using a gamma camera, the tracer bolus is imaged during the initial passage where it is confined to the right side of the heart.
This project investigates the possibility of transferring this first-pass concept to positron emission tomography (PET), which has superior sensitivity and the potential of sparing patient for an extra examination. 13 patients referred to a FDG-PET scan at Rigshospitalet were scanned in list-mode during the infusion of FDG. After initial estimations of arrival and transit time of the first-pass bolus in the heart, ECG-gated reconstructions of 4-6 second were made. An ROI covering the right ventricle was drawn, and from time-activity curves, the RVEF was estimated.
The developed method significantly underestimates RVEF, which is most likely due to imprecise ROI drawing. Indications of a correlation between the RVEF values by PET and cMRI is found, but further improvements of the estimation by PET are required before any conclusions can be drawn. | | Type | Master's thesis [Academic thesis] | | Year | 2012 | | Publisher | Technical University of Denmark, DTU Informatics, E-mail: reception@imm.dtu.dk | | Address | Asmussens Alle, Building 305, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark | | Series | IMM-M.Sc.-2012-47 | | Note | | | Electronic version(s) | [pdf] | | Publication link | http://www.imm.dtu.dk/English.aspx | | BibTeX data | [bibtex] | | IMM Group(s) | Image Analysis & Computer Graphics |
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