Asia Oceania Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Biology

Asia Oceania Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Biology

The Status of Stress Myocardial Perfusion Imaging Using 99mTc Pharmaceuticals in Japan: Results from a Nationwide Survey

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Ryoto Otsuka 1
Yosuke Miyazaki 2
Narumi Kubo 2
Mio Kawahara 2
Jun Takaesu 2
Kazuki Fukuchi 1
1 Division of Health Science, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine
2 Osaka University
10.22038/aojnmb.2018.10477
Abstract
Objective(s): To appropriately use one-day myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) with 99mTc radiopharmaceuticals (i.e. to avoid shine-through artifacts), injection doses need to be optimized and dose ratios between the 1st and 2nd scans should be maintained at ≥ 3. However, the current state of practice in Japan is unclear. Thus, the aim of this study was to clarify the details of MPI protocols using 99mTc radiopharmaceuticals in Japan.
Methods: A nationwide survey was conducted in June and July 2016. Questionnaires about stress MPI protocols using 99mTc radiopharmaceuticals were sent to 641 nuclear medicine facilities.
Results: Responses were received from 246 facilities. One-day protocols were used in 97.1% of the facilities. The most common injection dose ratio was 2.5. Only 18.2% of facilities achieved the recommended injection dose ratio. Stress-only protocols were performed in only 1.7% of facilities; the primary reasons for not performing stress-only protocols were as follows:
1) “The reading-physician cannot interpret the image just after the first scan,” and 2) “Preparation of radiopharmaceuticals and scan arrangements turn out to be complicated.”
Conclusion: Approximately 80% of nuclear medicine facilities do not follow the recommended injection dose ratio. Stress-only protocols are ideal, but are performed at very few facilities. Both optimization and standardization of stress MPI protocols using 99mTc radiopharmaceuticals are needed in Japan.
Keywords
myocardial perfusion imaging
Nuclear Medicine
SPECT
Subjects
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Asia Oceania Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Biology
Volume 6, Issue 2
July 2018
Pages 90-96