RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Quantitative Analysis of Lung Perfusion in Patients with Primary Pulmonary Hypertension
JF Journal of Nuclear Medicine
JO J Nucl Med
FD Society of Nuclear Medicine
SP 757
OP 761
VO 43
IS 6
A1 Kazuki Fukuchi
A1 Kohei Hayashida
A1 Norifumi Nakanishi
A1 Masayuki Inubushi
A1 Shingo Kyotani
A1 Noritoshi Nagaya
A1 Yoshio Ishida
YR 2002
UL http://jnm.snmjournals.org/content/43/6/757.abstract
AB The aim of this study was to evaluate quantitatively the heterogeneity of lung perfusion scans in patients with primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) and to compare it with the severity of disease. Methods: Lung perfusion scans were obtained on 22 patients with PPH and 12 age-matched control subjects. The perfused area rates (PARs) were calculated by dividing the lung area in each 10% threshold width from 10% to 100% of maximal counts by total lung area. The total absolute difference in the PAR between each patient and the mean control value was assumed as the perfusion index of the lung (P index). The P index was compared with hemodynamic parameters and the right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF), including 7 patients who received long-term vasodilator therapy. Results: The P index correlated significantly with mean pulmonary arterial pressure (P < 0.001) and RVEF (P < 0.05). In patients with vasodilator therapy, the P index was improved significantly after therapy (P < 0.05) and was associated with a reduction in pulmonary arterial pressure. Conclusion: Quantitative assessment of lung perfusion irregularity might provide useful information about the severity of disease and the effect of therapy in addition to the routine visual representation.