TY - JOUR T1 - Leukocyte SPECT/CT for Detecting Infection of Left-Ventricular-Assist Devices: Preliminary Results JF - Journal of Nuclear Medicine JO - J Nucl Med SP - 1044 LP - 1048 DO - 10.2967/jnumed.109.070664 VL - 51 IS - 7 AU - Pierre-Yves Litzler AU - Alain Manrique AU - Manuel Etienne AU - Alice Salles AU - Agathe Edet-Sanson AU - Pierre Vera AU - Jean-Paul Bessou AU - Anne Hitzel Y1 - 2010/07/01 UR - http://jnm.snmjournals.org/content/51/7/1044.abstract N2 - We report our experience with using integrated molecular and anatomic hybrid imaging to assess infection in patients who have a left-ventricular-assist device (LVAD). Methods: Thirteen 99mTc-exametazime-leukocyte planar and SPECT/CT scans were obtained for 8 consecutive patients who had an implanted LVAD. SPECT/CT was used to assess suspected device-related infections (n = 8) and to evaluate the efficiency of current antibiotic therapy (n = 5). Results: Device-related infection was seen on 8 of the 13 scans. SPECT/CT was positive for infection in all 8 patients, whereas planar scans were positive in 6 of 8. SPECT/CT provided relevant information on the extent of infection and its exact location in all patients. Additional distant infectious foci were demonstrated in 3 of 13 patients. Conclusion: SPECT/CT led to an accurate diagnosis of LVAD-related infection, revealing both anatomic location and extent. This noninvasive approach could lead to improved therapeutic strategies. ER -