The abnormal right ventricle: Relevant on low risk SPECT perfusion images?

Abstract

Assessment of right ventricular (RV) perfusion, function, and metabolism can provide additional diagnostic and prognostic information in patients with cardiovascular disorders. Readers of SPECT myocardial perfusion images may anticipate abnormal RV dilatation or hypertrophy in some patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH), heart failure, valvular heart disease, and/or ischemic heart disease. However, the RV sometimes appears abnormal on SPECT images even when the left ventricle (LV) is entirely normal. In the absence of antecedent heart disease or PH the clinical significance of these observations is uncertain. Accordingly, Jose and colleagues sought to examine the ramifications of an abnormal RV on low-risk SPECT perfusion studies acquired over a thirteenyear period at the University of Cincinnati.