Iterative SPECT Reconstruction Using Matched Filtering for Improved Image Quality

A multicenter evaluation of a new post-processing method with depth-dependent collimator resolution applied to full-time and half-time acquisitions without and with simultaneously acquired attenuation correction

“…The studies included consecutive patients from each site that had either (1) a statistical low (B5%) likelihood for CAD according to symptoms, age, gender, and the results of treadmill exercise testing 4 but excluding the results of SPECT (n = 55) or (2) coronary angiography within 181 days (18 ± 30 days) of SPECT with no change in clinical status (n = 132). Excluded were patients with (1) percutaneous coronary intervention within 180 days, (2) coronary artery bypass graft surgery, (3) prior cardiac transplantation, and (4) moderate-severe valvular heart disease. Stress testing was performed using treadmill exercise in 58.8%, whereas the remainder underwent either adenosine (Adenoscan, Astellas Pharma, Deerfield, IL) or dipyridamole vasodilator stress alone (32.6%) or vasodilator stress combined with exercise (8.6%).…”

“…1 New developments such as iterative reconstructions with resolution recovery and noise-reduction technology hold promise to improve image quality and reduce acquisition times from that currently recommended by ASNC imaging guidelines. [1][2][3] While image quality may be improved, attenuation artifact still remains and thus attenuation correction should benefit these studies as with full-time acquisitions.…”

A multi-center phantom study comparing image resolution from three state-of-the-art SPECT-CT systems

“…Source configuration and acquisition parameters in these experiments followed the NEMA recommendations 16 for tomographic resolution tests. Four capillary tubes (7.5 cm long and 1 mm diameter) were filled with Tc-99m activity (15)(16)(17)(18) MBq per tube). The activity extended over 3-4 cm within each tube, effectively creating line sources.…”

Multicenter investigation comparing a highly efficient half-time stress-only attenuation correction approach against standard rest-stress Tc-99m SPECT imaging

“…3 Efficiency can also be improved by reducing acquisition time from that currently recommended by ASNC Imaging Guidelines, 11 by employing iterative reconstructions combined with derived or measured resolution recovery and noise-reduction techniques. 9,12 Preliminary data have demonstrated adequacy of simultaneously acquired line-source transmission maps for attenuation correction using one of these rapid-acquisition protocols (Astonish, Philips, Milpitas, CA). 13,14 To date, reduced acquisition time with new algorithms has not been evaluated with stress-only imaging techniques.…”