Objectives: Quantitative values of cardiac iodine-123 metaiodobenzylguanidine (123I-MIBG) global and regional adrenergic innervation showed promising results in predicting clinical course of heart failure. Nevertheless data is lacking how global and regional cardiac 123I-MIBG imaging parameters correlate with patient’s clinical data and conventional heart failure markers.
Patients and methods: Eighty-six patientswith class II-IVNewYorkHeartAssociation (NYHA) heart failure were investigated. Patients underwent early and late cardiac 123I-MIBG planar and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) scanning. Global and regional cardiac 123I-MIBG scores were calculated and compared to conventional heart failure markers (left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and maximum rate of oxygen consumption (VO2 max)), followed by NYHA functional class clinical assessment at the time of investigation.
Results: Weak statistically significant correlation was noted between LVEF and global and regional cardiac adrenergic denervation scores, between BNP and VO2 max and global cardiac adrenergic denervation scores. Global and regional cardiac adrenergic denervation scores significantly differed within LVEF ranges. Global cardiac adrenergic denervation scores significantly differed within BNP levels and NYHA functional class.
Conclusions: Conventional cardiac heart failure markers had weak correlation with global and regional cardiac 123I-MIBG imaging parameters. Cardiac 123I-MIBG imaging markers differed significantly depending on LVEF and BNP levels, and NYHA functional class.
