Relationship between transient ischemic dilatation and changes in heart rate during gated SPECT acquisition in a low-risk population without perfusion defects

Objectives Transient ischemic dilatation (TID) in myocardial perfusion single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is considered a marker of poor prognosis. However, it has been suggested that some cases are due to apparent volumetric changes secondary to differences in heart rate (HR) at the time of acquisition. We assessed the correlation between transient dilatation and HR in low risk patients with no perfusion defects. Methods We retrospectively analyzed patients sent for 99mTc-MIBI SPECT using a 2-day protocol. We recorded the median HR during acquisition and the HR difference (HRD) between the rest and post-stress. We obtained the medium ventricular volume, end-diastolic volume (EDV), and end-systolic volume (ESV). We included patients in which TID using medium ventricular volume (TIDMV) was >= 1.2. TID was also calculated for the EDV and ESV (TIDEDV, TIDESV). We excluded patients with known coronary artery disease, perfusion defects, various ECG disorders, positive stress test, or ESV < 10 ml. Results From a total of 2006 patients, 63 (50 exercise, 13 dipyridamole) met the criteria for analysis (age 63.8 +/- 9.7, 44 men). TIDMV was 1.29 +/- 0.09 and HRD 9.8 beats per minute (BPM) (range -10 to 41). There was positive correlation between HRD and TIDMV (r = 0.51, P < 0.001) and TIDEDV (r = 0.5, P < 0.001), but not TIDESV (r = 0.23, P = 0.07). Correlation was stronger when HRD was >= 10 BPM (r = 0.67, P < 0.001). Conclusion TID without perfusion defects should be interpreted with caution in the presence of HRD >= 10 BPM during post-stress acquisition.