CVT Cardiac Imaging & Nuclear Cardiology Flashcards

A 'reversible defect' on myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) is consistent with:

Answer: Stress-induced ischemia

A reversible perfusion defect (abnormal on stress, normal on rest) indicates viable but ischemic myocardium that is inadequately perfused during increased demand.

Which view in cardiac CT or MRI best demonstrates the four cardiac chambers simultaneously?

Answer: Four-chamber view

The four-chamber view displays the left and right atria and ventricles simultaneously, allowing assessment of chamber sizes, wall motion, and valvular anatomy.

PET (positron emission tomography) myocardial viability imaging uses which tracer to assess myocardial metabolic activity?

Answer: F-18 FDG (fluorodeoxyglucose)

F-18 FDG PET measures glucose metabolism; viable but hibernating myocardium retains metabolic activity (FDG uptake) despite reduced perfusion, indicating potential for recovery.

Which artifact commonly occurs in nuclear cardiac imaging due to the left breast in female patients?

Answer: Breast attenuation artifact

Breast tissue attenuates gamma rays in SPECT imaging, causing apparent perfusion defects in the anterior wall that can mimic ischemia or infarction.

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) is considered the gold standard for assessing:

Answer: Right ventricular volumes and function

CMR provides superior spatial resolution and tissue characterization, making it the gold standard for quantifying right ventricular volumes, ejection fraction, and function.

What is the primary advantage of SPECT over planar nuclear imaging for myocardial perfusion?

Answer: Three-dimensional tomographic images that reduce overlap of structures

SPECT (single-photon emission computed tomography) acquires multiple projections to reconstruct 3D tomographic slices, eliminating tissue overlap that limits planar imaging.