Radionuclide ventricular function analysis.

Abstract

The information available from ventricular function studies is important in the management of patients with cardiovascular disease. Radionuclide measurements of ventricular function are closely related to the presence and extent of myocardial damage secondary to various etiologies. The two most commonly used techniques to assess ventricular function are the first-pass radionuclide angiocardiogram and the equilibrium radionuclide angiogram. The first-pass radionuclide angiocardiographic technique assesses function at the time of the bolus administration of the radiotracer. The cardiac blood pool imaging technique has the advantage of being able to assess function hours after tracer administration. Both techniques have their own limitations and advantages. Several measurements can be obtained with radionuclide ventricular function analysis. The most important parameters obtained are the right and left ventricular EFs, wall motion analysis, intracardiac shunts, volumes, and diastolic function. Radionuclide ventricular function analysis can provide information beneficial to patient management in a variety of cardiac disorders including ischemic heart disease, valvular heart disease, and congenital heart disease. Radionuclide ventricular function measurements are well established, important determinants in patients with diagnosis and prognosis of cardiovascular disorders. New 99mTc-labeled radiopharmaceuticals are now available and permit the simultaneous measurement of myocardial perfusion and ventricular function. The combined perfusion and function studies obtained during a single tracer administration provide a large amount of information important to the management of patients with cardiovascular disease. The combination of perfusion and functional measurements may improve the prognostic evaluation of patients with cardiovascular disease.