Leukocyte SPECT/CT for detecting infection of left-ventricular-assist devices: preliminary results.

Pierre-Yves Litzler (1) , Alain Manrique (2) , Manuel Etienne (3) , Alice Salles (4) , Agathe Edet-Sanson (4, 5) , Pierre Vera (4, 5) , Jean-Paul Bessou (1) , Anne Hitzel (6)

1 Service de chirurgie cadiovasculaire et thoracique [Rouen]
2 Service de médecine nucléaire [CHU Caen]
3 LCC - Laboratoire de chimie de coordination
4 Service de médecine nucléaire [Rouen]
5 QuantIF-LITIS - Equipe Quantification en Imagerie Fonctionnelle
6 Service de Médecine Nucléaire - Pierre-Paul Riquet [CHU Toulouse]

We report our experience with using integrated molecular and anatomic hybrid imaging to assess infection in patients who have a left-ventricular-assist device (LVAD). Thirteen (99m)Tc-exametazime-leukocyte planar and SPECT/CT scans were obtained for 8 consecutive patients who had an implanted LVAD. SPECT/CT was used to assess suspected device-related infections (n = 8) and to evaluate the efficiency of current antibiotic therapy (n = 5). Device-related infection was seen on 8 of the 13 scans. SPECT/CT was positive for infection in all 8 patients, whereas planar scans were positive in 6 of 8. SPECT/CT provided relevant information on the extent of infection and its exact location in all patients. Additional distant infectious foci were demonstrated in 3 of 13 patients. SPECT/CT led to an accurate diagnosis of LVAD-related infection, revealing both anatomic location and extent. This noninvasive approach could lead to improved therapeutic strategies.

Domaines: Sciences du Vivant [q-bio]

Pierre-Yves Litzler, Alain Manrique, Manuel Etienne, Alice Salles, Agathe Edet-Sanson, et al.. Leukocyte SPECT/CT for detecting infection of left-ventricular-assist devices: preliminary results.. Journal of Nuclear Medicine, 2010, 51 (7), pp.1044-8. ⟨hal-01144776⟩