PET scan and Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy

Q: "Inverse flow metabolism mismatch" on positron emission tomography (PET Scan) is the hallmark of which cardiac disease?

A) Marfan syndrome
B) Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
C) Pericarditis
D) Stress (takotsubo) cardiomyopathy
E) Dilated cardiomyopathy secondary to amyloidosis



Answer:  D

In recent literature PET scan has been advocated to confirm the diagnosis of stress cardiomyopathy. As expected, PET scan in stress cardiomyopathy shows a discrepancy between normal perfusion and reduced glucose utilization in dysfunction regions. This is referred as an "inverse flow metabolism mismatch".


Reference:

Testa M, Feola M. Usefulness of myocardial positron emission tomography/nuclear imaging in Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. World J Radiol 2014; 6:502.