Abstract

Nuclear imaging is a popular procedure used by hospitals to investigate the function of a patient’s internal organs non-invasively. One common procedure is Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT). There are many advantages and disadvantages to each procedure. PET imaging is able to take high resolution images but is expensive to operate. SPECT imaging is less expensive but is not able to produce as high-resolution images as PET’s. Because SPECT imaging is less costly, it is more widely available in hospitals. Additionally, SPECT imaging can be less accurately interpreted due to motion artifact

This study uses a low-resolution Computer Tomography (CT) scan in conjunction with SPECT scan to correct for motion artifact, also known as attenuation correction. The purpose of doing so is to see whether or not the hybridization of these two procedures will procure a more accurate image for a doctor to identify cardiac ischemia, decreased blood pressure to the heart. In our case, we will be using SPECT-CT scans targeted at heart disease patients to see whether or not the CT scan changed the diagnosis of the patient.