The feasibility of repeated left ventricular ejection fraction analysis with sequential single-dose radionuclide ventriculography.
OBJECTIVE
Repeated left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) analyses with sequential single-dose radionuclide ventriculography might be an interesting technique for monitoring the effect of positive inotropic interventions. The aim of the study was to assess the reproducibility of LVEF measurement with planar radionuclide ventriculography within 3 h, using a standard single dose of radioactive tracer.


METHODS
Sixteen patients underwent routine planar radionuclide ventriculography with a standard dose of 500 MBq of [Tc]pertechnetate and returned after 3 h for a repeat planar radionuclide ventriculography without administration of additional tracer.


RESULTS
The average initial LVEF was 35.1+/-18.6%-point (range, 12%-point to 68%-point). The mean difference of the LVEF between the initial planar radionuclide ventriculography and the repeat planar radionuclide ventriculography was 2.8%+/-6.3% (range, -11.8% to 13.3%, P=NS). The correlation between both measurements was significant with a correlation coefficient of 0.995 (P<0.01). Bland-Altman analysis revealed a mean LVEF difference of 0.94%-point between the baseline planar radionuclide ventriculography and the repeat planar radionuclide ventriculography (95% confidence interval: -2.7%-point to 4.5%-point). The visual wall motion assessment showed excellent reproducibility, with a kappa-statistic of 0.98.


CONCLUSIONS
Repeated radionuclide ventriculography with a 3 h interval using a single standard dose of 500 MBq of [Tc]pertechnetate is highly reproducible and will be useful for monitoring the effect of positive inotropic interventions.
Thoraxcenter, Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands. p.a.van.der.vleuten@thorax.umcg.nl
Pieter A
PA
van der Vleuten
Riemer H J A
RH
Slart
René A
RA
Tio
Iwan C C
IC
van der Horst
Dirk-Jan
DJ
van Veldhuisen
Rudi A
RA
Dierckx
Felix
F
Zijlstra
D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015635:Radionuclide Ventriculography / Q000379:methods*; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013670:Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013318:Stroke Volume; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*
D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D013670:Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m