RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Image-Derived Input Functions for Determination of MRGlu in Cardiac 18F-FDG PET Scans JF Journal of Nuclear Medicine JO J Nucl Med FD Society of Nuclear Medicine SP 1622 OP 1629 VO 42 IS 11 A1 Arno P. van der Weerdt A1 Lucas J. Klein A1 Ronald Boellaard A1 Cees A. Visser A1 Frans C. Visser A1 Adriaan A. Lammertsma YR 2001 UL http://jnm.snmjournals.org/content/42/11/1622.abstract AB Image-derived input functions (IDIF) are frequently used in cardiac 18F-FDG PET studies for determination of the myocardial metabolic rate of glucose (MRGlu). The purpose of this study was to assess which vascular structure is most suited for defining the IDIF, using online arterial blood sampling (AS) as the gold standard. Methods: In 18 patients with ischemic heart disease, 370 MBq FDG were injected during a hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp. Studies were performed with a Siemens/CTI HR+ PET scanner using a dynamic scanning protocol. A fully automated blood-sampling device was used for continuous AS. IDIF were obtained using regions of interest (ROIs) of 3 different sizes defined on the left ventricle (LV), left atrium (LA), ascending aorta (AA), and descending aorta (DA). MRGlu was calculated with all input functions. Ratios between MRGlu obtained with IDIF and AS were calculated for each patient. Results: Time–activity curves from smaller ROIs suffered more from statistical noise with only a modest reduction of spillover effects, which led to more variation in calculated MRGlu. Mean ratios of MRGlu obtained with IDIF and AS were close to 1 when AA and DA (0.97 ± 0.07 and 1.00 ± 0.11, respectively) were used to define the input function. However, when LA and LV were used, mean ratios were 0.81 ± 0.06 and 0.79 ± 0.08, respectively, reflecting a significant underestimation of MRGlu. The use of AA for defining the input function resulted in the best agreement with AS and the smallest interobserver variation. Conclusion: The ascending aorta is the structure of choice for defining IDIF and a large ROI (diameter, approximately 15 mm) should be used to minimize the effects of statistical noise.