Identification of impaired metabolic reserve by atrial pacing in patients with significant coronary artery stenosis

Myocardial uptake and biodistribution of newly designed technetium-labelled fatty acid analogues

PURPOSE

In an effort to develop 99mTc-labelled fatty acids (FAs) for myocardial metabolism and flow imaging, several Tc analogues according to the '3+1' and the '4+1' mixed-ligand approach were synthesized and myocardial extraction was evaluated in non-working isolated guinea pig hearts. An example of biodistribution patterns in guinea pigs was determined by using one FA analogue.

METHODS

The coordination moieties contain a +5, respectively +3, oxidation state metal core attached to the end position of a FA chain. FA complexes of the '3+1' and the '4+1' mixed-ligand type were prepared and investigated using the isolated heart model. To estimate the diagnostic value of the analogue 99mTc-FAs, the biodistribution of one well-extracted FA was evaluated.

RESULTS

The '4+1' FA compounds achieved the highest uptake rates of all the technetium FAs investigated. In particular, the '4+1' 99mTc-C11-FA achieved at least a 2-fold higher ventricular extraction of the applied activity than the established control tracers including omega-(p-[123I]iodophenyl)pentadecanoic FAs (BMIPP and IPPA) and Tc-MIBI. Furthermore, the '4+1' dodecanoic FA derivative and the thiadodecanoic FA derivative showed an extraction comparable to established 123I-labelled tracers. Biodistribution experiments performed for the thiadodecanoic FA derivative indicated a good heart/blood and heart/lung ratio and also a high uptake in the liver. In contrast, '3+1' 99mTc complexes showed a low myocardial extraction rate. Nevertheless, the differentiation in the extraction profile, which depends on the FA chain length and structure, indicates a specific heart uptake of these 99mTc-labelled FA derivatives as well.

CONCLUSIONS

The excellent extraction rates found for '4+1' 99mTc-FAs indicate possibly promising structures for innovative myocardial tracers.

Evaluation of Fatty Acid .BETA.-Oxidation in Patients With Prior Myocardial Infarction in Relation to Myocardial Blood Flow, Total Oxidative Metabolism, and Left Ventricular Wall Motion

BACKGROUND

Fatty acid metabolism in patients with myocardial infarction (MI) who undergo coronary reperfusion has not been fully elucidated and was investigated in the present study using positron emission tomography.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The clearance rate constant of 11C-acetate (acetate-Kmono) and that of 11C-palmitate (palmitate-Kmono) from the myocardium were calculated using a monoexponential equation in 14 patients with MI. A total of 155 regions of interest were classified based on coefficient of determination (R2) values of monoexponential curves for 11C-palmitate clearance: well fitted regions (R2>or=0.5) and poorly fitted regions (R2<0.5). Regional relative myocardial blood flow calculated from the initial distribution of 11C-acetate and left ventricular (LV) wall motion were also evaluated. Peak 11C-palmitate uptake (14,434+/-3,052 vs 12,016+/-3,088 counts/s, p<0.001) and percent clearance during acquisition (38.2+/-10.1 vs 23.6+/-11.4%, p<0.001) were significantly greater in the well fitted regions (n=111) than in the poorly fitted regions (n=44). Acetate-Kmono was significantly higher in the former than in the latter (0.0641+/-0.0099 vs 0.0476+/-0.0103 min-1, p<0.001). LV wall motion and regional relative blood flow were also significantly greater in the former regions. Palmitate-Kmono in the well fitted regions was significantly higher in normal LV wall motion areas than in hypokinesis areas (0.0363+/-0.0062 vs 0.0274+/-0.0057 min-1, p<0.001)

CONCLUSIONS

Maintenance of myocardial fatty acid beta-oxidation with better myocardial blood flow is substantial in the preservation of total myocardial oxidative metabolism and LV wall motion in patients with MI. The finding that the early-phase clearance of 11C-palmitate is fitted with a monoexponential curve may provide important information in the evaluation of myocardial fatty acid beta-oxidation.

Fatty acids for myocardial imaging

Radioiodinated free fatty acids are tracers that can be used to assess both myocardial perfusion and metabolism. There have been several fatty acids and structurally modified fatty acids studied since Evans' initial report of radiolabeled I-123 oleic acid in 1965. The radiolabeling of a phenyl group added to the long chain fatty acids in the omega-terminal position opposite the carboxyl terminal group prevents nonspecific deiodination and the rapid release of free iodine as the tracer undergoes beta-oxidation. The additional inclusion of a methyl or dimethyl group to the chain slows oxidation resulting in prolonged myocardial retention. The longer retention of the radiolabel permits longer image acquisitions more compatible with single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging, especially with single-detector imaging systems. Several protocols have been implemented using these compounds, particularly 15-(para-iodophenyl)-3-R,S-methyl pentadecanoic BMIPP, to detect abnormal fatty acid metabolism in ischemic heart disease as well as in nonischemic and hypertrophic cardiomyopathies. Successful management of patients with ischemic cardiomyopathies depends on the accurate identification of hibernating myocardium. The studies covered in this review suggest that both IPPA and BMIPP, especially when combined with markers of myocardial perfusion, may be excellent tracers of viable and potentially functional myocardium. Future studies with larger numbers of patients are needed to confirm the results of these studies and to compare their efficacy with that of other available imaging modalities. Cost and distribution issues will have to be resolved for these metabolic tracers to compete in the commercial marketplace. Otherwise they will likely be available only on a limited basis for research use. As progress is made with these issues and with the development of newer imaging systems, the use of radioiodinated and fluorinated fatty acids is likely to be increasingly attractive.

Cardiac positron emission tomography

Positron emission tomography (PET) is an intrinsically quantitative tool that provides a unique and unparalleled approach for clinicians and researchers to interrogate the heart noninvasively. The ability to label substances of physiological interest with positron-emitting radioisotopes has permitted insight into normal blood flow and metabolism and the alterations that occur with disease states. The efficacies of interventional therapies also have been demonstrated with cardiac PET. PET is unequaled in establishing the presence or absence of coronary artery disease (CAD) as well as for assessment of myocardial viability. Using mathematically and physiologically appropriate models, myocardial blood flow, metabolism, and ligand density and flux can be measured noninvasively, providing physicians and researchers with an exceptional window to the heart. Future advances in both instrumentation as well as radiochemistry and image processing will improve our understanding of the heart under normal conditions as well as with disease and should provide therapeutic approaches to enhancing the treatment of patients with heart disease of diverse etiologies.

Clinical usefulness of iodine 123-labeled fatty acid imaging in patients with acute myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND

Iodine 123-labeled 15-(p-iodophenyl)-3R,S-methylpentadecanoic acid (BMIPP) has recently been developed, since normal myocardium metabolizes free fatty acids. This study investigated the clinical usefulness of BMIPP imaging in patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI), particularly in the detection of stunned myocardium in patients who underwent acute coronary revascularization.

METHODS

The subjects were 41 patients with acute MI who had undergone emergency coronary revascularization. Both BMIPP and thallium-201 images at rest were obtained during the subacute phase. The myocardial distribution of radiotracers was quantified by generating circumferential count-distribution profile analysis. Initial 201Tl imaging, delayed 201Tl imaging, and BMIPP imaging were performed, and the mean count densities in the infarct region (initial 201Tl images [TL1], delayed 201Tl images [TL2], and BMIPP images in the infarct region [BM], respectively) were obtained. The differences between mean count densities (TL1-BM: BM subtracted from TL1; TL2-BM: BM subtracted from TL2) were also calculated.

RESULTS

BM showed a higher correlation with wall motion data by echocardiography (WM) in the acute phase than other nuclear imaging tests, whereas TL2 showed the highest correlation with WM in the chronic phase. Acute to chronic WM improvement showed a good correlation with TL2-BM.

CONCLUSION

Single photon emission computed tomography imaging with BMIPP is a candidate for providing the "memory image" of ischemic damage, whereas TL2 reflects all viable tissue. The mismatch between the tracers can serve as an indicator of myocardial stunning.

Cardiac metabolism: a technical spectrum of modalities including positron emission tomography, single-photon emission computed tomography, and magnetic resonance spectroscopy

Noninvasive techniques for the assessment of cardiac metabolism are important for the detection of potentially salvageable tissue in jeopardized areas of the myocardium. The correct identification of hibernating and stunned myocardium in patients with severely depressed cardiac function can have vital therapeutic consequences for the patient. Changes in myocardial fatty acid and glucose metabolism during acute and prolonged ischemia can be traced by positron-emitting or gamma-emitting radiopharmaceuticals. Alternatively, 31P-labeled magnetic resonance spectroscopy can be used for the assessment of high-energy phosphate metabolism. It is not yet clear which modality will emerge as the most useful in the clinical setting. Positron emission tomography (PET) that uses combinations of flow tracers and metabolic tracers offers unique opportunities for quantification and high-resolution static and rapid dynamic studies. Currently, assessment of glucose metabolism with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose is regarded as the gold standard for myocardial viability and prediction of improvement of impaired contractile function after revascularization. However, preserved oxidative metabolism may be required for potential functional improvement, and therefore assessment of residual oxidative metabolism by 11C-labeled acetate PET may prove to be more accurate than 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET, which reflects both anaerobic and oxidative metabolism. Moreover, because fatty acids are metabolized only aerobically, they are excellent candidates for the clinical assessment of myocardial viability and prediction of functional improvement after revascularization. Especially derivatives of fatty acids that are not metabolized but accumulate in the myocyte are attractive for myocardial imaging. Examples are 123I-beta-methyl-p-iodophenyl pentadecanoic acid and 15-(o-123I-phenyl)-pentadecanoic acid. These tracers can be detected by planar scintigraphy and single-photon emission computed tomography, which are more economical and widely available than PET. In addition, 511 keV collimators have been developed recently, making the detection of positron emitters by planar scintigraphy and single-photon emission computed tomography feasible. The experience with 31P-labeled magnetic resonance spectroscopy in humans is still limited. With current magnetic resonance spectroscopic techniques, insufficient spatial resolution is achieved for clinical purposes, but the possibility of serial measurements to monitor rapid changes of phosphate-containing molecules in time makes magnetic resonance spectroscopy very valuable for the research of myocardial metabolism.

Assessment of myocardial fatty acid metabolism with 1-11C-palmitate

The myocardium has the capacity to utilize a variety of metabolic substrates, including long-chain fatty acids, ketone bodies, glucose, lactate, and amino acids. Under most conditions long-chain fatty acids constitute the major myocardial energy source. Imaging of long-chain fatty acids can be accomplished with carbon 11-labeled palmitate (1-11C-palmitate) and positron emission tomography. Imaging can be performed in either static or dynamic modes. In normal subjects accumulation of the tracer is homogeneous throughout the heart. In patients with myocardial infarction, distinct defects in accumulation are seen. In dilated cardiomyopathy, uptake is spatially heterogeneous. Clearance of 1-11C-palmitate in normal myocardium is biexponential and homogeneous throughout the heart. Administration of glucose, or feeding, decreases uptake of the tracer into the early rapid turnover pool and decreases clearance of the tracer from that pool. In normal myocardium atrial pacing increases the rate of clearance; in ischemic myocardium the degree of increased clearance is attenuated. In patients with cardiomyopathy caused by long-chain fatty acid coenzyme A dehydrogenase deficiency, 1-11C-palmitate clearance is diminished compared with total myocardial oxygen consumption traced with carbon 11-labeled acetate. Thus positron emission tomography with 1-11C-palmitate permits assessment of patients with ischemic heart disease and cardiomyopathy of diverse causes, providing insights into both pathophysiologic mechanisms and the effectiveness of various therapeutic interventions.

Investigation of myocardial metabolism for the study of the pathophysiology of cardiac disease

Many variables, including food ingestion, circulating hormone, and the cardiac work load, affect myocardial metabolism. Important changes in myocardial metabolism are associated with myocardial ischemia. The study of myocardial metabolism by means of different invasive and noninvasive techniques allows a better understanding of both cardiac physiology and pathophysiology in humans.

Assessment of myocardial fatty acid metabolism with positron emission tomography at rest and during dobutamine infusion in patients with coronary artery disease

The myocardial clearance rate of C-11 palmitate as an index of fatty acid oxidation was assessed by means of positron emission tomography (PET) at rest and during dobutamine infusion in seven normal subjects and 10 patients with coronary artery disease. In the normal subjects the clearance half time was homogeneous in the left ventricle at rest and uniformly shortened during dobutamine infusion. In the myocardium at risk, clearance half time tends to be longer in the segments with an abnormal Q wave on ECG, exhibiting regional wall motion abnormality, and supplied by severely stenosed coronary arteries, particularly during dobutamine infusion. These data indicate that fatty acid oxidation may be decreased in infarcted myocardium and associated with regional asynergy. Such an abnormality was most striking in those with severe coronary stenosis during dobutamine infusion. We conclude that PET with the use of C-11 palmitate at rest and during dobutamine is a useful means of identifying impaired fatty acid oxidation and decreased metabolic reserve in patients with coronary artery disease.

Myocardial oxidative metabolism in normal subjects in fasting, glucose loading and dobutamine infusion states

Experimental studies indicated the clearance rate constant of 11C-acetate as an index of regional myocardial oxygen consumption. To assess the response of the clearance rate from the left ventricular (LV) myocardium to the change in plasma substrate levels and to the increase in the cardiac work load in normal subjects, a total of 18 dynamic positron emission tomographic studies were performed at rest in the fasting state (control) (n = 7), after oral glucose administration (n = 4), and during dobutamine infusion (n = 7) in 7 normal volunteers. The clearance rate constant (Kmono) was similar in the control (0.065 +/- 0.017 min-1) and glucose loading states (0.059 +/- 0.008 min-1), whereas a significant increase in Kmono was observed during dobutamine infusion (0.106 +/- 0.018 min-1) (p < 0.01) in relation to the increase in the pressure-rate product with a correlation coefficient of 0.873 (p < 0.01). When the LV myocardium was divided into 6 segments, there were no significant differences among the segments in Kmono values in any condition. These normal responses should be valuable for assessing oxidative metabolic reserve and regional changes in oxidative metabolism in patients with coronary artery disease.

Stress echocardiographic techniques. An overview

The choice of upright or supine exercise, pharmacological agents, or atrial pacing for the induction of ischemia depends on the goals and the imaging modality. Dynamic stress echocardiography has improved diagnostic accuracy over and above the stress electrocardiogram. Indications include patients with atypical symptoms, prior nondiagnostic stress electrocardiograms, or baseline electrocardiographic abnormalities. Pharmacological agents coupled with echocardiography do well in the high-risk preoperative patient (e.g., abdominal aneurysmectomy) or in those unable to walk due to orthopedic, neurological, or peripheral vascular disease. When there is uncertainty as to the physiological significance of anatomical (angiographic) stenosis, dynamic stress echocardiography in the ambulatory patient or atrial pacing (or beta-agonist pharmacological stressors) in the catheterization laboratory are useful. The accuracy of stress echocardiography for detection of ischemia in the follow-up of interventional procedures or for postmyocardial infarction risk stratification is superior to standard stress electrocardiography alone.

Metabolic reserve in normal myocardium assessed by positron emission tomography with C-11 palmitate

Positron emission tomography (PET) with C-11 palmitate has been used in estimating the myocardial utilization of free fatty acid. To assess the metabolic reserve in normal subjects, a PET study was performed at control and during dobutamine infusion at 2 hour intervals in 5 normal subjects. Following monoexponential curve fitting of the time activity curve of the myocardium, the clearance half time (min) and residual fraction (%) were calculated as indices of beta-oxidation of free fatty acid. A significant increase in the heart rate and systolic blood pressure were observed during dobutamine infusion (65 +/- 5 vs 100 +/- 29 bpm, p less than 0.05 and 119 +/- 12 vs 144 +/- 16 mmHg, p less than 0.01, respectively). The clearance half time and the residual fraction were significantly decreased (23.4 +/- 2.6 vs 15.8 +/- 2.3 min and 67.0 +/- 2.5 vs 58.6 +/- 4.0%, P less than 0.05, each). When the left ventricular myocardium was divided into 4 segments, these indices were similar at control and uniformly decreased without regional differences during dobutamine infusion. These data suggest that beta-oxidation of free fatty acid may be uniformly increased in the left ventricular myocardium in relation to the increase in cardiac work in normal subjects. PET with C-11 palmitate at control and during dobutamine infusion is considered to be promising in assessing metabolic reserve in the myocardium.

Myocardial metabolism in insulin-deficient diabetic humans without coronary artery disease

Eleven insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) patients with angiographically normal coronary arteries and a normal hemodynamic response to an echocardiographic-dipyridamole test and 12 normal controls were studied at rest and after atrial pacing simultaneously sampling arterial and coronary sinus blood. In IDDM patients, despite hyperglycemia [10.0 +/- 2.0 (SE) mmol/l], myocardial glucose uptake was slightly lower than in controls. This process was significantly activated in both groups during atrial pacing. The isotopically calculated net flux of lactate across myocardium, in agreement with the net balance value based on unlabeled lactate-pyruvate arteriovenous differences, showed a net uptake in controls (3.5 +/- 0.6 mumol.min-1.1.73 m-2) and a net release in IDDM (12.4 +/- 2.6; P less than 0.01). Atrial pacing stimulated lactate uptake in both groups. Myocardial uptake of ketone bodies was significantly higher in IDDM (37.0 +/- 6.3 mumol.min-1.1.73 m-2) than in controls (10.1 +/- 3.4 mumol.min-1.1.73 m-2; P less than 0.01). Free fatty acid uptake was also significantly greater in IDDM than in controls (44.1 +/- 7.0 vs. 24.1 +/- 5.1 mumol.min-1.1.73 m-2; P less than 0.01). Alanine and branched amino acids were released by diabetic but not by control hearts at rest. The normalization of blood glucose concentrations restored normal patterns of lactate and ketone body kinetics across diabetic myocardium. In conclusion, 1) at rest, myocardial lactate and amino acid uptake is markedly impaired in IDDM without coronary artery disease, and 2) the metabolic abnormalities of the diabetic myocardium are not a primary phenomenon but rather a consequence of hypoinsulinemia and hyperglycemia because insulin administration, resulting in euglycemia, restored normal patterns of cardiac metabolism.

Radiopharmaceuticals for studying cardiac metabolism

(1) Metabolism is the link between myocardial blood flow and physiological performance of the heart. (2) Metabolic myocardial radiopharmaceuticals have the potential to identify metabolic alterations unique to a given intrinsic cardiac disease (e.g. cardiomyopathies), to assess acute metabolic changes or in delineating a specific chronic metabolic defect (e.g. coronary artery disease). (3) Two approaches can be employed to evaluate in vivo myocardial utilization of subtracts: (a) use of radiolabeled "physiologic" substrates e.g. positron emitting 11C-palmitic acid was successfully employed for assessing the in vivo metabolic sequelae of myocardial ischemia, infarction and cardiomyopathies, and (b) use of modified tracers which enter known metabolic pathways. However, because of their unique structure, metabolism of the tracer stops at a certain state thus leaving the radiolabel trapped in the cell, e.g. [18F]FDG for measuring glucose metabolic rate in the human brain and myocardium. (4) Among the radiopharmaceuticals for planar and single photon tomography, the para and the ortho isomers of 123I-phenyl iodoheptadecanoic acids and their beta-methyl derivatives are the most promising tracers for myocardial metabolic studies. (5) Ortho-(123I-phenyl)-pentadecanoic acid (o-IPPA) human myocardial uptake was rapidly and markedly elevated in well perfused segments; myocardial turnover was strikingly prolonged, suggesting some "trapping" phenomenon, resulting in excellent scintigrams. This is in contrast to the relatively shorter clearance of the para isomer from the myocardium. (6) 11C-Palmitic acid and [18F]FDG are the most widely used for PET scanning for following myocardial metabolism. The most important clinical application of these agents is predicting viability of ischemic myocardium. (7) A significant proportion of fixed perfusion defects seen on thallium studies can be demonstrated to be viable myocardium on PET scans using metabolic agents. If the markers of perfusion alone are relied on to assess tissue viability, the extent of salvageable myocardium may be underestimated. The demonstration of myocardial viability is crucial in the decision of the optimal treatment of the disease.

Myocardial metabolism in ischemic heart disease: basic principles and application to imaging by positron emission tomography

The human heart in the fasting state extracts FFA, glucose, lactate, pyruvate, and ketone bodies from the systemic circulation. Of these substrates, FFA utilization accounts for the greater part of oxygen consumption and energy production. The oxidative use of lipid (FFA) and carbohydrate (glucose and lactate) fuels is reciprocally regulated through the operation of Randle's cycle. Feeding, by increasing both insulin and glucose concentration, shifts myocardial metabolism towards preferential carbohydrate usage, both for oxidative energy generation and for glycogen synthesis. During conditions of reduced oxygen supply, the oxidation of all substrates is decreased while anaerobic metabolism is activated. In patients with coronary artery disease and stable angina pectoris, lactate release in the CS can be demonstrated during pacing stress. However, this occurs in only 50% of patients, and no relationship can be demonstrated between lactate production and the severity of ischemia. In patients with chronic angina, a significant release of alanine in the CS and an increased myocardial uptake of glutamate could be demonstrated at rest and following pacing. These two phenomena result from increased transamination of excess pyruvate to alanine with glutamate serving as NH2 donor. In addition, release of citrate (a known inhibitor of glycolysis) in the CS can be demonstrated following pacing in patients with stable angina. The introduction of PET has made it possible to study regional myocardial perfusion and metabolism in humans noninvasively. Two basically different patterns of myocardial glucose utilization have been observed in patients with coronary artery disease studied at rest using 18F-flurodeoxyglucose. In patients with stable angina on exercise but studied at rest, regional myocar- dial glucose utilization was homogeneously low and comparable with that of a group of normals. In contrast, in patients with unstable angina, myocardial glucose utilization at rest was increased even in the absence of symptoms and ECG signs of acute ischemia. In patients with stable angina, a prolonged increase in glucose uptake could be demonstrated in the post-ischemic myocardium in the absence of perfusion abnormalities, and a state of chronic metabolic ischemia is proposed. PET imaging has also allowed prospective differentiation between viable and nonviable segmental function in patients with recent myocardial infarction and in those undergoing coronary artery surgery; in both cases viable segments have relatively maintained glucose uptakes, whereas nonviable segments have depressed glucose uptakes.

Pharmacodynamics of amlodipine: hemodynamic effects and antianginal efficacy after atrial pacing

The hemodynamic effects and antianginal efficacy of 10 mg amlodipine administered intravenously were assessed for 45 minutes in 18 subjects with stable angina pectoris. After amlodipine the heart rate was increased from 75 +/- 12 beats/min to 80 +/- 15 beats/min (p less than 0.05) for at least 15 minutes, with a decrease in systemic vascular resistance of 1091 +/- 205 to 815 +/- 390 dynes/sec/cm5 and a decrease in mean arterial pressure at 30 minutes from 99 +/- 11 to 91 +/- 10 (p less than 0.05). There was no change in dp/dt or dp/dt/IP or in cardiac output, wedge pressure, or pulmonary artery pressure. In the parallel placebo group (n = 8) there was no change in any of the hemodynamic parameters. Time to pacing-induced angina was increased in the treated group (n = 12) from 6 +/- 3.2 minutes before the dose to 8.2 +/- 4 minutes after the dose (p less than 0.01) compared to the control subjects who were given saline solution, in whom the time increased from 7 +/- 1.5 minutes before the dose to 7.5 +/- 2.2 minutes after the dose (n = 9). The double product at an equivalent pacing time to the initial onset of angina was reduced after therapy from 15,590 +/- 1490 to 14,100 +/- 1193 with a reduction in ST segment shift from 11.9 +/- 9.4 mm2 to 6.2 +/- 5.6 mm2 (p less than 0.05). Amlodipine after intravenous use has a vasodilator effect and also increases the anginal threshold without deleterious negative inotropic effects.

Regional myocardial blood flow and metabolism at rest in mildly symptomatic patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Previous observations and clinical manifestations suggest the presence of ischemia in the disproportionately thickened septum of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Metabolic consequences of ischemia can be demonstrated with positron emission tomography. Therefore, 10 patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and an echocardiographic septum to posterior wall thickness ratio of 1.8 +/- 0.4 cm (range 1.3 to 2.5) were studied with the use of nitrogen (N)-13 ammonia, carbon (C)-11 palmitate and fluoro (F)-18 2-deoxyglucose as tracers of myocardial blood flow, fatty acid metabolism and exogenous glucose utilization. The results of positron emission tomography in 9 patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy were compared with those in 10 normal volunteers. In the hypertrophic cardiomyopathy group, observed myocardial activity of N-13 ammonia and C-11 palmitate in the septum was similar to that in the lateral wall. Septum to lateral wall tissue activity ratios averaged 1.04 +/- 0.15 for N-13 ammonia and 1.04 +/- 0.18 for C-11 palmitate, and were similar to those in the normal volunteers (0.98 +/- 0.07 and 0.98 +/- 0.03, respectively; p = NS). Myocardial clearance half-time and residual fraction of C-11 palmitate did not differ significantly between the septum and lateral wall. However, F-18 2-deoxyglucose uptake was significantly lower in the septum than in the lateral wall (15,768 +/- 4,314 versus 19,818 +/- 5,234 counts/pixel; p less than 0.003). The mean septum to lateral wall activity ratio of 0.83 +/- 0.21 was less than that observed in normal volunteers (0.92 +/- 0.07; p = NS).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

F-18 deoxyglucose and stress N-13 ammonia positron emission tomography in anterior wall healed myocardial infarction

To evaluate myocardial blood flow and glucose utilization, N-13 ammonia (NH3) and F-18 deoxyglucose positron emission tomography scanning was performed in 22 patients with previous anterior wall myocardial infarction, using a high-resolution, multi-slice, whole-body scanner. The N-13 ammonia study was performed at rest and after exercise. The F-18 deoxyglucose study was performed at rest after fasting greater than 5 hours. The N-13 ammonia study revealed a hypoperfused area in 19 of the 22 patients (86%), that corresponded to the infarcted regions as diagnosed by electrocardiography, coronary arteriography and left ventriculography (21 patients). The hypoperfused areas expanded after exercise in 16 of 22 patients (73%). F-18 deoxyglucose uptake was observed in these hypoperfused areas, especially in patients with hypokinetic wall motion on left ventriculography and in exercise-induced hypoperfused areas. However, positron emission tomography demonstrated diffuse uptake of F-18 deoxyglucose in 3 of 8 patients with dyskinetic wall motion. Thus, metabolically active myocardium in infarcted areas or periinfarct ischemia can be visualized with F-18 deoxyglucose and stress N-13 ammonia studies.

Positron emission tomography. Diagnostic and therapeutic implications in human myocardial ischemia

Positron emission tomography and tracers of blood flow and of metabolism offer a most unique capability: The noninvasive study of regional myocardial metabolism and its derangements as a result of regional or global myocardial disease. Research with PET not only has confirmed the existence of metabolic fluxes and reactions as established previously through highly invasive or even destructive investigational techniques but has provided new insights into pathophysiologic processes, especially in ischemic and post-ischemic myocardium. From these investigations in both animal experiments and in humans, observations have emerged which indicate a place for PET in clinical cardiology. PET is likely to contribute to detection of disease, to characterizing its extent and severity as well as to decide upon the most appropriate therapeutic strategy and assessing its results. It is recognized that many of these observations with clinical implications await confirmation through larger clinical trials, follow-up studies as well as independent confirmation. Besides exploring ischemic heart disease, PET is equally suitable for examining substrate fluxes and interactions in other disorders as for example in intrinsic myocardial disease like primary and secondary cardiomyopathies. While derangements of metabolism in these disorders may be an expression of the consequences of the disease process or its underlying mechanisms itself, findings on PET will allow formulation of new hypotheses on disease mechanisms that conversely can then be tested. In addition to F-18 2-deoxyglucose and C-11 palmitate, the number of tracers for substrate metabolism is likely to increase. An example is C-11 acetate currently intensely investigated as a tool for measuring overall myocardial oxidative metabolism. Others as for example C-11 labeled short chain fatty acids are on the horizon. The study of cardiac receptors is similarly possible. Thus, a set of tools will soon be available for dissection of entire metabolic pathways and for determination of rate limiting steps in health and disease and to more clearly define specific defects in biochemical reaction steps that critically contribute to or even ae the specific cause of disease.