Vol 9, No 1 (2006)
Published online: 2006-01-25
Radionuclide assessment of lower limb perfusion using 99mTc-MIBI in early stages of atherosclerosis
Nucl. Med. Rev 2006;9(1):18-23.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The aim of the work was a scintigraphic evaluation
of regional blood supply of thigh and calf muscles using
99mTc-MIBI as a radiopharmaceutical, in early stages of atherosclerosis
revealed during ultrasonographic examination of lower
limbs, in patients without typical clinical symptoms of chronic
ischaemia of lower limbs and with preserved normal Doppler
spectrum of blood flow. Moreover, basic relations between early
signs of lower limb atherosclerosis and abnormal myocardial
perfusion, as well as asymptomatic hypoperfusion of lower
limbs, were analysed.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: Stress and rest radionuclide study of lower limb muscles and myocardium using 99mTc-MIBI was performed in 47 men, who were divided into two groups based on ultrasonography results. The first group (group I) comprised 22 patients with early atherosclerotic changes in peripheral vessels and the second (group II) comprised 25 people with normal arteries. For the purposes of quantification of study results normal values of regional blood supply and indices of asymmetry at levels of thighs and calves, as proposed by Segall et al., were applied. Myocardial scintigrams were evaluated according to widely accepted rules (visual and semi quantitative normative analysis).
RESULTS: Mean values of stress and rest perfusion indices of thighs as well as calves in gr. I were statistically significantly lower (p < 0.001) than in gr. II. Incidence of asymmetry in the stress perfusion of calves and thighs was statistically significantly higher (p = 0.04) in patients with atherosclerotic changes as compared with the control group. Abnormal myocardial perfusion was found in 77% of patients from group I and in 28% from group II (p = 0.001). Reversible, stress induced ischaemia was found in 59% and 16%, resp. (p = 0.01).
CONCLUSIONS: 1. Radionuclide study revealed a reduced stress as well as rest perfusion of lower limb muscles in clinically asymptomatic patients with atherosclerotic changes of lower limb vessels of low degree and a preserved normal Doppler blood flow spectrum. 2. Presence of early atherosclerotic changes in lower limb vessels implies a higher probability of asymptomatic hypoperfusion of lower limbs as well as coronary artery disease.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: Stress and rest radionuclide study of lower limb muscles and myocardium using 99mTc-MIBI was performed in 47 men, who were divided into two groups based on ultrasonography results. The first group (group I) comprised 22 patients with early atherosclerotic changes in peripheral vessels and the second (group II) comprised 25 people with normal arteries. For the purposes of quantification of study results normal values of regional blood supply and indices of asymmetry at levels of thighs and calves, as proposed by Segall et al., were applied. Myocardial scintigrams were evaluated according to widely accepted rules (visual and semi quantitative normative analysis).
RESULTS: Mean values of stress and rest perfusion indices of thighs as well as calves in gr. I were statistically significantly lower (p < 0.001) than in gr. II. Incidence of asymmetry in the stress perfusion of calves and thighs was statistically significantly higher (p = 0.04) in patients with atherosclerotic changes as compared with the control group. Abnormal myocardial perfusion was found in 77% of patients from group I and in 28% from group II (p = 0.001). Reversible, stress induced ischaemia was found in 59% and 16%, resp. (p = 0.01).
CONCLUSIONS: 1. Radionuclide study revealed a reduced stress as well as rest perfusion of lower limb muscles in clinically asymptomatic patients with atherosclerotic changes of lower limb vessels of low degree and a preserved normal Doppler blood flow spectrum. 2. Presence of early atherosclerotic changes in lower limb vessels implies a higher probability of asymptomatic hypoperfusion of lower limbs as well as coronary artery disease.
Keywords: chronic hypoperfusion of lower limbsatherosclerosisperfusion scintigraphy of lower limbs99mTc-Tc-MIBI
