| Abstract | Polar map plots of reconstructed short axis cardiac single photon emission tomography (SPECT) images provide concise information on left ventricular perfusion of all three coronary arterial territories within one single image. The article compares the diagnostic efficacy of both visual SPECT image interpretation and quantitative polar map plots for coronary artery disease, using coronary arteriogram as standard. The concordance of the two methods in diagnosis of coronary artery disease and myocardial ischemia detection is also analyzed. Polar maps slightly outperformed visual SPECT interpretation, especially in left cirucmflex disease. There was also excellent concordance between the two methods both in disease diagnosis and ischemia detection, though with lowest agreement (Kappa=0.393) in circumflex disease. Therefore, notwithstanding potential confounding factors, polar map display remains an useful adjunct for improved diagnosis in cardiac SPECT imaging. |
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