PET/CT scans ‘can offer better diagnosis of heart conditions’

A new study has indicated that coronary-specific positron emission tomography (cardiac PET/CT) can offer a better performance in diagnosing heart diseases than established methods.

Researchers at the Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute have compared the most commonly used imaging diagnostic tool – single photon emission computed tomography – with the newer cardiac PET/CT approach, finding dramatic differences.

Cardiac PET/CT imaging was able to diagnose heart problems with certainty in 88 percent of cases, while SPECT imaging gave a clear diagnosis only 30 percent of the time.

The newer imaging technology uses two high-energy electrons for the radioactive tracers. Since these electrons are high-energy, a much smaller dose is required and the image quality is much improved.

Generally, when imaging procedures give uncertain results, alternative invasive diagnostic techniques like coronary angiograms and cardiac catheters are required. Cardiac PET/CT scans can reduce the need for these additional procedures by more than 50 percent.

Dr Kent Meredith, cardiologist at the Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute and the lead researcher of the study, said: "We've found that cardiac PET/CT scans offer higher accuracy and much better image quality. We have much more confidence in the results and there is far less radiation exposure for patients."