SPECT and PET myocardial perfusion imaging in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland results of the 2nd joint survey 2024
摘要
We herein present the results of the second survey on SPECT and PET myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland in 2024.
MethodsA questionnaire was sent to facilities practicing nuclear medicine.
ResultsData from 12 Austrian (10,689 SPECT), 198 German (128,707 SPECT), and 16 Swiss departments (11,593 MPI (2,911 SPECT; 8,682 PET)) were analysed. In Austria and Germany, the PET MPI numbers were negligible and not considered. In Austria 50%, in Germany 69%, and in Switzerland 69% of the facilities reported stable or increasing numbers of examinations compared to the 2021 survey. Ambulatory care cardiologists represented the major referral group (46-71%). Most stress tests were performed pharmacologically (57-96%). In SPECT imaging, the one-day protocol was predominant in Switzerland (77%), while the two-day protocol was used in Austria (41%) and Germany (49%). The primary camera systems used were hybrid SPECT-CT systems in Austria (75%) and Switzerland (100%), and SPECT cameras (without CT) in Germany (56%). Attenuation correction was regularly performed in Switzerland (100%), followed by Austria (74%), and Germany (35%). Both gated SPECT and perfusion scoring were frequently applied (gated SPECT 82-99%; perfusion scoring 82-88%).
ConclusionsThis second joint survey for 2024 confirms positive trends in MPI imaging in all three countries, albeit with differences. The results document a high level of guideline conformity. The situation in Switzerland is exceptional due to the widespread use of PET-MPI. Switzerland also leads in terms of camera equipment and attenuation correction followed by Austria and Germany.