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-99m]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

Conclusion Repeated radionuclide ventriculography with a 3 h interval using a single standard dose of 500 MBq of [Tc-99m]pertechnetate is highly reproducible and will be useful for monitoring the effect of positive inotropic interventions.