The term 'masked myocardial ischemia' is associated with which consequence of infiltrated doses?

Masked myocardial ischemia refers to a situation where underlying myocardial ischemia is not readily apparent in imaging studies due to the presence of certain factors, often influenced by injected radiopharmaceuticals during a PET scan. When infiltrated doses are administered, they can lead to an inaccurate representation of myocardial blood flow and viability.

In this context, the term is relevant because an infiltrated dose could affect how the radioactive tracer distributes within the heart tissue. High or uneven distribution can obscure areas of ischemia, making them appear normal on the scan. Therefore, the term directly reflects the phenomenon of ischemia being concealed or "masked" by the imaging properties of the radiopharmaceutical used.

This understanding is critical in clinical practice since it highlights the importance of proper radiopharmaceutical administration and the potential need for careful interpretation of PET scans in patients suspected of having coronary artery disease. By acknowledging the possibility of masked myocardial ischemia, healthcare providers can avoid misdiagnoses that might arise from imaging artifacts or misrepresentations caused by infiltrated doses.