I-123 metaiodobenzylguanidine imaging for predicting ventricular arrhythmia in heart failure patients

Compared to antiarrhythmic drugs, implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) leads to a more significant improvement in preventing ventricular arrhythmia in heart failure patients. However, an important question has been raised that how to select appropriate patients for ICD therapy. I-123 metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) planar and SPECT imaging have shown great potentials to predict ventricular arrhythmia in heart failure patients by assessing the abnormalities of the sympathetic nervous system. Clinical trials demonstrated that several parameters measured from I-123 MIBG planar and SPECT imaging, such as heart-to-mediastinum ratio, washout rate, defect score, and innervation/perfusion mismatch, predicted ventricular arrhythmias in heart failure patients. This paper introduces the current practice of ICD therapy and reviews the technical background of I-123 MIBG planar and SPECT imaging and their clinical data in predicting ventricular arrhythmia.