To evaluate the accuracy of myocardial perfusion SPECT (MPI) in the detection and allocation of vessel specific perfusion
defects (PD) using standard distribution territories in a routine clinical procedure of patients with multivessel disease
(MVD). Combined quantitative coronary angiography and fractional flow reserve (QCA/FFR) measurements were used as invasive
reference standard. 216 vessels in 72 MVD patients (67 ± 10 years, 28 female) were investigated using MPI and QCA. FFR of
93 vessels with intermediate stenoses was determined. MPI detected significant stenoses according to QCA/FFR findings with
a sensitivity of 85%. However, vessel-based evaluation using standard myocardial distribution territories delivered a sensitivity
of only 62% (28 MPI+ out of 45 (QCA/FFR)+ findings), with specificity, PPV and NPV of 90, 62 and 90%. 7/17 false positive
and 7/17 false negative findings (41%) could be attributed to incorrect allocation of reversible PD to their respective coronary
arteries. 6/17 (35%) perfusion territories were classified as false negative when additional fixed PD were present. MPI had
reasonable sensitivity for the detection of significant coronary artery disease in patients with multivessel disease. However,
sensitivity decreased markedly, when the significance of each individual stenosis was evaluated using standard myocardial
supplying territories. In this setting, 41% of false negative and false positive MPI findings resulted from incorrect allocation
of reversible perfusion defects to their determining supplying vessel.
Keywords Myocardial perfusion SPECT - Fractional flow reserve - Multivessel disease - Percutaneous coronary intervention - Coronary angiography