effect of proton pump inhibitors on rubidium-82 gastric uptake using positron emission tomography myocardial perfusion imaging

Rb-82 positron emission tomography (pet) myocardial perfusion imaging (mpi) is a robust tool for the evaluation of coronary artery disease (cad). however, gastric uptake and spillover can be seen in 10% of rb-82 pet mpi studies, commonly affecting the inferior wall, and can preclude the accurate identification of myocardial ischemia. we sought to understand the relationship between rb-82 gastric uptake and the use of proton pump inhibitors (ppi). 600 consecutive patients who presented for a clinically indicated rb-82 pet mpi study were prospectively enrolled. in addition to the clinical history, ppi use was ascertained (medication, dose, frequency and duration of use, and time of last dose). patients were categorized as ppi and non-ppi users. rb-82 uptake in the gastrium, myocardium, and liver were measured at rest. absolute uptake values and gastric:hepatic ratios were compared in ppi and non-ppi users. of 600 enrolled patients, 181 (30.2%) patients were using ppi. the gastric rb-82 uptake in ppi users was 23% higher than non-ppi users (146 ± 52 kbq/cc vs 119 ± 40 kbq/cc, respectively; p < 0.001). the resting gastric:hepatic rb-82 uptake ratio was also 23% higher in ppi vs non-ppi users (2.7 ± 1.0 vs 2.2 ± 0.8, respectively; p < 0.001). the gastric uptake of rb-82 appears to be greater in patients actively using ppi and identify a group who might be at greater risk of non-diagnostic rb-82 pet mpi.