Imaging Techniques for the Assessment of Myocardial Perfusion

One of the most significant causes of heart failure is coronary heart disease and subsequent left ventricular dysfunction. The prognosis and perioperative mortality are influenced by left ventricular function, which is also an important predictor marker following revascularization. The evaluation of myocardial perfusion is of utmost importance in patients who present several symptoms before choosing cardiac catheterization as treatment. The evaluation of myocardial perfusion and myocardial viability leads to superior diagnostic and treatment algorithms, thus resulting in an important improvement in the outcomes of patients with coronary artery disease. Color Doppler myocardial imaging, single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), contrast perfusion echocardiography, positron emission computed tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are currently used methods for assessing myocardial perfusion. This review aims to summarize the benefits and disadvantages of each of these techniques.