Perfusionstest

Perfusionstest, or perfusion testing, refers to a group of diagnostic procedures that measure the passage of blood through tissue or organs. The goal is to assess tissue perfusion, evaluate blood flow, and determine tissue viability or function. Perfusion tests can be noninvasive imaging studies, involve contrast or radioactive tracers, or use invasive techniques in specialized centers.

Common applications include brain, heart, and lungs, though perfusion assessment can be extended to other organs. In neurology, perfusion imaging of the brain (such as perfusion CT or perfusion MRI) estimates parameters like cerebral blood flow, cerebral blood volume, and mean transit time. It is frequently used in acute stroke to identify tissue at risk and guide treatment decisions, as well as in tumor characterization and assessment of other cerebrovascular conditions.

In cardiology, myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) with SPECT or PET evaluates blood flow to the heart muscle during rest and stress. It helps detect regional ischemia or infarction due to coronary artery disease and can be used to estimate coronary flow reserve for risk stratification.

In pulmonology, ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) scintigraphy combines ventilation assessment with perfusion imaging to identify pulmonary embolism or other perfusion abnormalities. CT or MRI perfusion techniques may also be employed to quantify lung blood flow.

Non-imaging methods, such as Doppler ultrasound, can provide indirect information about tissue and organ perfusion by measuring blood-flow velocity. Limitations of perfusion testing include radiation exposure with nuclear or CT-based methods, contrast reactions, and the need for specialized equipment and expertise.