Assessment of Myocardial Perfusion Enhancement Associated with Current Treatments for Ischemic Heart Disease Using Positron Emission Tomography

Efficient pumping function of heart depends on receiving oxygen and nutrients through hearts specific blood vessels called coronaries. In case of coronary stenosis (e.g. plaques formation on their inner walls), the heart muscle cannot function normally and may be permanently damaged. Three treatment strategies are broadly available that include medications, coronary stent placement and coronary bypass graft surgery. However, the efficacy of either treatment in restoring blood perfusion to the heart muscle is not clearly quantified. This knowledge gap prevents the physicians from systematically predicting the benefits and risks of each available treatment for every individual patient. The objective of the current study is to use positron emission tomography (PET) to measure coronary blood perfusion using a specific tracer that is rubidium-82 (Rb-82). TO BE CONT’D

Faculty Supervisor:

Robert DeKemp

Student:

Ali Ahmadi

Partner:

Jubilant DraxImage Inc

Discipline:

Medicine

Sector:

Medical devices

University:

Program: