The Particulars: Single positron emission computed tomography (SPECT) has been shown in previous research to effectively localize the site or extent of myocardial ischemia and assess myocardial viability. Few studies have looked at the use of SPECT as a diagnostic tool for acute coronary syndromes (ACS) in the ED.
Data Breakdown: A meta-analysis of 15 studies was conducted, assessing the use of SPECT for detecting ACS in the ED. Researchers found that the sensitivity and specificity rates for the imaging technique were both 87%. The positive predictive value of SPECT was 96%, and the negative predictive value was 81.5%.
Take Home Pearls: SPECT appears to be a reliable tool for diagnosing ACS in the ED. More research is needed to determine the generalizability of these findings in ED settings.
