What are the new developments in stress nuclear MPI?
Several new developments in stress nuclear MPI have occurred, including new radioisotopes: 1) an F18 PET perfusion agent (in Phase III trials), which will allow exercise PET I-beta-methyl-iodophenylpentadecanoic acid SPECT, with the unique ability to document metabolic alterations representing prior ischemic episodes (ie, ischemic I-labeled meta-iodobenzylguanidine SPECT, which could be helpful for assessment of arrhythmic risk in SIHD patients.1254 Several new SPECT cameras also have been introduced into the marketplace and offer the opportunity for improved image quality within a substantially shorter time period and with a lower radiation dose.1255,1256 Several studies have correlated atherosclerotic plaque characteristics with the extent of ischemic myocardium by stress nuclear MPI.202 206,215 Finally, the diagnostic and prognostic value of PET flow reserve data is currently under intense investigation.