CVT Cardiac Imaging & Nuclear Cardiology Flashcards

In nuclear cardiology, which radiopharmaceutical is most commonly used for myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI)?

Answer: Technetium-99m sestamibi (MIBI)

Tc-99m sestamibi is the most widely used agent for SPECT MPI because of its favorable dosimetry, higher photon energy, and ability to assess both perfusion and function.

A 'fixed defect' on nuclear myocardial perfusion imaging indicates:

Answer: Infarction with non-viable myocardium (scar tissue)

A fixed (unchanging) perfusion defect present on both stress and rest images indicates infarcted, non-viable myocardial tissue.

Which cardiac imaging modality provides the highest spatial resolution for coronary artery anatomy?

Answer: Cardiac CT angiography (CCTA)

Cardiac CT angiography provides sub-millimeter spatial resolution for direct visualization of coronary artery anatomy, stenoses, and atherosclerotic plaque.

The Agatston score obtained from cardiac CT quantifies:

Answer: Coronary artery calcium burden as a marker of atherosclerosis

The Agatston (coronary artery calcium) score measures calcified atherosclerotic plaque burden in the coronary arteries, stratifying cardiovascular risk.

What does LVEF stand for and what is the normal range in adults?

Answer: Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction; normal ≥55%

LVEF (Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction) is the percentage of blood ejected with each beat; a normal LVEF is ≥55%, indicating preserved systolic function.

In cardiac MRI, late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) is used to detect:

Answer: Myocardial fibrosis and infarct scar

LGE CMR identifies myocardial fibrosis and scar because gadolinium contrast accumulates in areas of damaged myocardium with expanded extracellular space.