RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Effects of Pacemaker, Implantable Cardioverter–Defibrillator, and Left Ventricular Leads on CT-Based Attenuation Correction
JF Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
JO J. Nucl. Med. Technol.
FD Society of Nuclear Medicine
SP 37
OP 41
DO 10.2967/jnmt.113.133736
VO 42
IS 1
A1 Suzuki, Akira
A1 Koshida, Kichiro
A1 Matsubara, Kosuke
YR 2014
UL http://tech.snmjournals.org/content/42/1/37.abstract
AB CT-based attenuation correction (CTAC) of myocardial SPECT images has been becoming more popular—and the application of SPECT/CT increasing—because it prevents attenuation-induced image degradation. However, CTAC can be affected by overestimation of counts caused by metals. It is possible that pacemaker, left ventricle (LV), and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) leads have an influence on myocardial SPECT findings. The present study investigated the impact of these leads on SPECT with CTAC. Methods: Pacemaker, LV, and ICD leads were examined using a simple phantom and a cardiac phantom. The effects of metal artifacts from leads in high-resolution mode and ultra-high-resolution mode were assessed using a simple phantom. Images and polar maps were generated from the cardiac phantom. Results: The pacemaker and LV leads essentially had no influence, whereas the ICD lead resulted in maximal (6%) overestimation in a study investigating which metals cause artifacts that affect CTAC. None of the leads seriously influenced CTAC when the cardiac phantom was used. Conclusion: Small pacemaker or ICD and LV leads will cause a slight overestimation, but CTAC should be used because it can correct attenuation of the inferior and anteroseptal walls on SPECT images.