Prognostic value of myocardial flow reserve obtained by 82-rubidium positron emission tomography in long-term follow-up after heart transplantation

Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskriftTidsskriftartikelfagfællebedømt

  • Lærke Marie Nelson
  • Thomas Emil Christensen
  • Kasper Rossing
  • Philip Hasbak
  • Gustafsson, Finn

Background: Cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) is a leading cause of death following heart transplantation (HTx) and non-invasive prognostic methods in long-term CAV surveillance are needed. We evaluated the prognostic value of myocardial flow reserve (MFR) obtained by 82-rubidium (82Rb) positron emission tomography (PET). Methods: Recipients undergoing dynamic rest-stress 82Rb PET between April 2013 and June 2017 were retrospectively evaluated in a single-center study. Evaluation by PET included quantitative myocardial blood flow and semiquantitative myocardial perfusion imaging. Patients were grouped by MFR (MFR ≤ 2.0 vs MFR > 2.0) and the primary outcome was all-cause mortality. Results: A total of 50 patients (68% men, median age 57 [IQR: 43 to 68]) were included. Median time from HTx to PET was 10.0 (6.7 to 16.0) years. In 58% of patients CAV was documented prior to PET. During a median follow-up of 3.6 (2.3 to 4.3) years 12 events occurred. Survival probability by Kaplan–Meier method was significantly higher in the high-MFR group (log-rank P =.02). Revascularization (n = 1), new CAV diagnosis (n = 1), and graft failure (n = 4) were more frequent in low-MFR patients. No retransplantation occurred. Conclusions: Myocardial flow reserve appears to offer prognostic value in selected long-term HTx recipients and holds promise as a non-invasive method for CAV surveillance possibly guiding management strategy.

OriginalsprogEngelsk
TidsskriftJournal of Nuclear Cardiology
Vol/bind29
Udgave nummer5
Sider (fra-til)2555-2567
ISSN1071-3581
DOI
StatusUdgivet - 2022

Bibliografisk note

Funding Information:
Funding: L.M.N. was supported by research grants from The Danish Heart Foundation (14-R97-A5275-22861). The Research Foundation of Rigshospitalet, and The Heart Center Research Foundation of Rigshospitalet.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021, American Society of Nuclear Cardiology.

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