Objective: New reconstructive methods employing resolution recovery and noise reduction techniques are now available with the potential to reduce imaging time. This study was designed to assess image quality of established and new reconstruction algorithms, with respect to varying acquisition time and factors including motion and adjacent infra-diaphragmatic activity.

Methods: A Kyoto cardiac phantom, with 15MBq cardiac and 50MBq background activity was scanned using a Philips CardioMD fixed 90 degree dual detector camera. SPECT scanning was performed, varying times per acquisition angle of 20sec, 15sec, 10sec and 5sec. This was repeated with the introduction of a small cardiac defect, addition of infra-diaphragmatic activity and motion artifact. The resulting images were processed with filter back projection, 3D-ordered subset expectation maximization (OSEM), and Astonish (a Philips algorithm incorporating OSEM and resolution recovery).

Results: All images were successfully acquired utilizing the cardiac phantom and the various parameters described. Images will be evaluated for defect size and image quality by two nuclear medicine physicians blinded to the processing algorithm used.

Conclusion: It is feasible to assess new reconstruction methods with a phantom model. Results of image analysis are awaited prior to considering potential protocol changes in our centre.