Illustration of a heart with glowing electrical pathways, symbolizing heart rhythm and health.

Heart's Hidden Rhythms: Can New Scans Predict Cardiac Death?

Soraya Malik in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Unlock the Secrets of Heart Health: A Breakthrough Study Reveals How Cardiac Scans Can Identify Hidden Risks and Improve Patient Outcomes."

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a condition where the heart's ability to pump blood is weakened, affects millions worldwide. While treatments have improved, predicting which patients are most at risk of sudden cardiac death remains a challenge. Traditional methods often fall short, leaving doctors searching for more precise tools.

Now, a groundbreaking study published in the Journal of Nuclear Cardiology offers new hope. Researchers have discovered that by using advanced cardiac imaging techniques, they can identify subtle abnormalities in the heart's rhythm – both during contraction (systole) and relaxation (diastole) – that significantly increase the risk of cardiac death. This could revolutionize how we assess and manage DCM patients.

This article breaks down this complex research into easy-to-understand terms, revealing how these new insights could impact you or your loved ones. We'll explore the innovative scanning techniques, the key findings of the study, and what this all means for the future of heart health.

Decoding the Heart's Electrical Symphony: Systole, Diastole, and Dyssynchrony

Illustration of a heart with glowing electrical pathways, symbolizing heart rhythm and health.

To understand this new approach, it's essential to grasp a few key concepts. The heart's function relies on a precise, coordinated rhythm. When the heart contracts (systole), blood is pumped out to the body. When it relaxes (diastole), the heart chambers refill with blood. 'Dyssynchrony' refers to any disruption in this coordinated rhythm, meaning different parts of the heart aren't working together in harmony.

The study focused on two types of dyssynchrony: systolic dyssynchrony (LVSD) and diastolic dyssynchrony (LVDD). While LVSD has been recognized as a risk factor in DCM, the role of LVDD has been less clear. Researchers aimed to evaluate whether both systolic and diastolic dyssynchrony, measured using a special type of cardiac scan called gated SPECT MPI, could predict cardiac death in DCM patients.

The study used a technique called phase analysis, which analyzes images from gated SPECT MPI to measure LV systolic and diastolic dyssynchrony. Key measurements included:

Phase Standard Deviation (PSD): Measures the overall variability in the timing of heart muscle contraction and relaxation.
Phase Histogram Bandwidth (PBW): Indicates the range of time over which heart muscle activity occurs.
Phase Entropy (PE): Reflects the complexity and disorganization of the heart's electrical activity.

Fifty-two patients with DCM participated in the study. Researchers tracked these patients over an average of 2.9 years, noting who experienced cardiac death. By comparing the cardiac scans of those who died to those who survived, they uncovered critical differences in systolic and diastolic dyssynchrony measurements.

A Brighter Future for Heart Health: The Promise of Early Detection

This research offers a powerful new tool for predicting cardiac death in DCM patients. By identifying and quantifying both systolic and diastolic dyssynchrony, doctors can gain a more complete picture of a patient's risk and tailor treatment accordingly. While further studies are needed to confirm these findings and optimize their application, this innovative approach holds tremendous promise for improving heart health and saving lives.

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Everything You Need To Know

What is dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), and why is it a challenge to manage?

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a condition where the heart's ability to pump blood is weakened, impacting millions globally. The challenge in managing DCM arises from the difficulty in predicting which patients face the highest risk of sudden cardiac death. While treatments for DCM have improved, the current methods often fall short in providing precise risk assessment, making it difficult for doctors to determine the most appropriate interventions for each patient. This is where the new advanced cardiac imaging techniques become crucial.

How do advanced cardiac imaging techniques help predict cardiac death in DCM patients?

Advanced cardiac imaging techniques, specifically gated SPECT MPI, allow doctors to identify subtle abnormalities in the heart's rhythm. These abnormalities include both systolic dyssynchrony (LVSD) and diastolic dyssynchrony (LVDD). By analyzing these dyssynchronies through a method called phase analysis, using Phase Standard Deviation (PSD), Phase Histogram Bandwidth (PBW), and Phase Entropy (PE), researchers can assess the risk of cardiac death in DCM patients more accurately. This approach provides a more complete picture of a patient's heart function, enabling better risk stratification and tailored treatment strategies.

What is the difference between systole and diastole, and why are they important in heart function?

Systole and diastole are fundamental phases in the heart's function, making up the cardiac cycle. Systole is the contraction phase where the heart pumps blood out to the body. Diastole is the relaxation phase, during which the heart chambers refill with blood. A coordinated and precise rhythm between systole and diastole is essential for the heart's efficient function. Dyssynchrony, or disruption in this coordinated rhythm, can lead to impaired cardiac function and is a key factor in the prediction of cardiac death in DCM patients, as evaluated by the gated SPECT MPI scan.

Can you explain the significance of Phase Standard Deviation (PSD), Phase Histogram Bandwidth (PBW), and Phase Entropy (PE) in the context of the study?

In this study, PSD, PBW, and PE are measurements derived from phase analysis of gated SPECT MPI scans, each providing unique insights into the heart's rhythm. PSD (Phase Standard Deviation) measures the overall variability in the timing of heart muscle contraction and relaxation, indicating how synchronized the heart's different parts are. PBW (Phase Histogram Bandwidth) indicates the range of time over which heart muscle activity occurs, reflecting the spread of activity. PE (Phase Entropy) reflects the complexity and disorganization of the heart's electrical activity, revealing the irregularity in heart function. Analyzing these parameters helps researchers quantify systolic and diastolic dyssynchrony, which helps in predicting the risk of cardiac death in DCM patients.

How can the findings of this study revolutionize the management of DCM and improve patient outcomes?

The study's findings introduce a powerful new tool for predicting cardiac death in DCM patients by quantifying both systolic and diastolic dyssynchrony using gated SPECT MPI. By identifying and understanding these dyssynchronies, doctors can gain a more comprehensive view of a patient's risk profile. This allows for the tailoring of treatment strategies, offering a more personalized approach to managing DCM. While further research is needed, this innovative approach holds immense promise for improving heart health by enabling earlier detection and more effective interventions, ultimately aiming to save lives and improve the quality of life for individuals with DCM.