Correlation between lung perfusion blood volume and SPECT images in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension by balloon pulmonary angioplasty.
We evaluated the reperfusion by balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) in lung PBV and SPECT images. In total, 17 patients and 57 sessions were evaluated. Pre-BPA and post-BPA lung PBV and SPECT/CT images, based on both anatomical segments and physiologic regions (upper/middle/lower) were compared. BPA had a positive effect on most hypoperfused/unperfused segments/regions. There was generally a high rate of agreement between PBV measurements and SPECT/CT. BPA shows promise as a treatment modality for CTEPH patients. SPECT/CT, and, to a lesser extent, PBV, were useful in indicating areas in need of balloon angioplasty.