J Nucl Cardiol. 2021 Dec;28(6):2910-2922. doi: 10.1007/s12350-020-02180-7. Epub 2020 May 25.

To what extent are perfusion defects seen by myocardial perfusion SPECT in patients with left bundle branch block related to myocardial infarction, ECG characteristics, and myocardial wall motion?.

Journal of nuclear cardiology : official publication of the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology

Fredrik Hedeer, Ellen Ostenfeld, Bo Hedén, Frits W Prinzen, Håkan Arheden, Marcus Carlsson, Henrik Engblom

PMID: 32451797 DOI: 10.1007/s12350-020-02180-7

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: We investigated if uptake pattern on myocardial perfusion SPECT (MPS) in patients with left bundle branch block (LBBB) is related to myocardial fibrosis, myocardial wall motion, and electrocardiography (ECG) characteristics.

METHODS: Twenty-three patients (9 women) with LBBB, examined with MPS and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), were included. Tracer uptake on MPS was classified by visual interpretation as typical LBBB pattern (Defect+, n = 13) or not (Defect-, n = 10) and quantitatively. CMR images were evaluated for wall thickness and for myocardial wall motion both by visual assessment and by regional myocardial radial strain from feature tracking, and for presence and location of myocardial fibrosis. ECGs were analyzed regarding QRS duration and the presence of strict criteria for LBBB.

RESULTS: Wall thickness was slightly lower in the septum compared to the lateral wall in Defect+ patients (5.6 ± 1.1 vs 6.0 ± 1.3 mm, P = 0.03) but not in Defect- patients (5.6 ± 1.0 vs 5.6 ± 0.9 mm, P = 0.84). Defect+ patients showed a larger proportion of dyskinetic segments in the septum and hyperkinetic segments in the lateral wall compared to Defect- patients (P = 0.006 and P = 0.004, respectively). Decreased myocardial radial strain was associated with decreased tracer uptake by MPS (R = 0.37, P < 0.001). Areas of fibrosis did not match areas with uptake defect on MPS. No differences in ECG variables were seen.

CONCLUSION: The heterogeneous regional tracer uptake in some patients with LBBB is related to underlying regional myocardial dyskinesia, wall thickening, and wall thickness rather than stress-induced ischemia, myocardial fibrosis, or specific ECG characteristics.

© 2020. The Author(s).

Keywords: MRI; Physiology of myocardial/coronary perfusion; SPECT; dyssynchrony; gated SPECT; physiology of LV/RV function

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