TY - JOUR
T1 - Worldwide Variation in the Use of Nuclear Cardiology Camera Technology, Reconstruction Software, and Imaging Protocols
AU - INCAPS Investigators Group
AU - Hirschfeld, Cole B.
AU - Mercuri, Mathew
AU - Pascual, Thomas N.B.
AU - Karthikeyan, Ganesan
AU - Vitola, João V.
AU - Mahmarian, John J.
AU - Better, Nathan
AU - Bouyoucef, Salah E.
AU - Hee-Seung Bom, Henry
AU - Lele, Vikram
AU - Magboo, V. Peter C.
AU - Alexánderson, Erick
AU - Allam, Adel H.
AU - Al-Mallah, Mouaz H.
AU - Dorbala, Sharmila
AU - Flotats, Albert
AU - Jerome, Scott
AU - Kaufmann, Philipp A.
AU - Luxenburg, Osnat
AU - Shaw, Leslee J.
AU - Underwood, S. Richard
AU - Rehani, Madan M.
AU - Paez, Diana
AU - Dondi, Maurizio
AU - Einstein, Andrew J.
AU - Einstein, A. J.
AU - Paez, D.
AU - Dondi, M.
AU - Better, N.
AU - Bouyoucef, S. E.
AU - Karthikeyan, G.
AU - Kashyap, R.
AU - Lele, V.
AU - Magboo, V. P.C.
AU - Mahmarian, J. J.
AU - Meeks, J. B.
AU - Mercuri, M.
AU - Mut, F.
AU - Rehani, M. M.
AU - Vitola, J. V.
AU - Alexanderson, E.
AU - Allam, A.
AU - Bom, H.
AU - Flotats, A.
AU - Jerome, S.
AU - Luxenburg, O.
AU - Mahmarian, J.
AU - Underwood, S. R.
AU - Vitola, J.
AU - Amouri, W.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 American College of Cardiology Foundation
PY - 2021/9/1
Y1 - 2021/9/1
N2 - Objectives: This study sought to describe worldwide variations in the use of myocardial perfusion imaging hardware, software, and imaging protocols and their impact on radiation effective dose (ED). Background: Concerns about long-term effects of ionizing radiation have prompted efforts to identify strategies for dose optimization in myocardial perfusion scintigraphy. Studies have increasingly shown opportunities for dose reduction using newer technologies and optimized protocols. Methods: Data were submitted voluntarily to the INCAPS (International Atomic Energy Agency Nuclear Cardiology Protocols Study) registry, a multinational, cross-sectional study comprising 7,911 imaging studies from 308 labs in 65 countries. The study compared regional use of camera technologies, advanced post-processing software, and protocol characteristics and analyzed the influence of each factor on ED. Results: Cadmium-zinc-telluride and positron emission tomography (PET) cameras were used in 10% (regional range 0% to 26%) and 6% (regional range 0% to 17%) of studies worldwide. Attenuation correction was used in 26% of cases (range 10% to 57%), and advanced post-processing software was used in 38% of cases (range 26% to 64%). Stress-first single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging comprised nearly 20% of cases from all world regions, except North America, where it was used in just 7% of cases. Factors associated with lower ED and odds ratio for achieving radiation dose ≤9 mSv included use of cadmium-zinc-telluride, PET, advanced post-processing software, and stress- or rest-only imaging. Overall, 39% of all studies (97% PET and 35% SPECT) were ≤9 mSv, while just 6% of all studies (32% PET and 4% SPECT) achieved a dose ≤3 mSv. Conclusions: Newer-technology cameras, advanced software, and stress-only protocols were associated with reduced ED, but worldwide adoption of these practices was generally low and varied significantly between regions. The implementation of dose-optimizing technologies and protocols offers an opportunity to reduce patient radiation exposure across all world regions.
AB - Objectives: This study sought to describe worldwide variations in the use of myocardial perfusion imaging hardware, software, and imaging protocols and their impact on radiation effective dose (ED). Background: Concerns about long-term effects of ionizing radiation have prompted efforts to identify strategies for dose optimization in myocardial perfusion scintigraphy. Studies have increasingly shown opportunities for dose reduction using newer technologies and optimized protocols. Methods: Data were submitted voluntarily to the INCAPS (International Atomic Energy Agency Nuclear Cardiology Protocols Study) registry, a multinational, cross-sectional study comprising 7,911 imaging studies from 308 labs in 65 countries. The study compared regional use of camera technologies, advanced post-processing software, and protocol characteristics and analyzed the influence of each factor on ED. Results: Cadmium-zinc-telluride and positron emission tomography (PET) cameras were used in 10% (regional range 0% to 26%) and 6% (regional range 0% to 17%) of studies worldwide. Attenuation correction was used in 26% of cases (range 10% to 57%), and advanced post-processing software was used in 38% of cases (range 26% to 64%). Stress-first single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging comprised nearly 20% of cases from all world regions, except North America, where it was used in just 7% of cases. Factors associated with lower ED and odds ratio for achieving radiation dose ≤9 mSv included use of cadmium-zinc-telluride, PET, advanced post-processing software, and stress- or rest-only imaging. Overall, 39% of all studies (97% PET and 35% SPECT) were ≤9 mSv, while just 6% of all studies (32% PET and 4% SPECT) achieved a dose ≤3 mSv. Conclusions: Newer-technology cameras, advanced software, and stress-only protocols were associated with reduced ED, but worldwide adoption of these practices was generally low and varied significantly between regions. The implementation of dose-optimizing technologies and protocols offers an opportunity to reduce patient radiation exposure across all world regions.
KW - SPECT
KW - camera technology
KW - myocardial perfusion scintigraphy
KW - nuclear cardiology protocols
KW - radiation dose reduction
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U2 - 10.1016/j.jcmg.2020.11.011
DO - 10.1016/j.jcmg.2020.11.011
M3 - Article
C2 - 33454257
AN - SCOPUS:85100047819
SN - 1936-878X
VL - 14
SP - 1819
EP - 1828
JO - JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging
JF - JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging
IS - 9
ER -