Rapid Sequential Visualization of the Heart and Great Vessels in Man Using the Wide-Field Anger Scintillation Camera

Abstract

The recent development of the instantaneously sensing Anger scintillation camera, capable of recording wide-field radioisotope images from the precordium, and a system for video storage and analysis has provided a means of visualizing the anatomic and hemodynamic features of the heart and great vessels without the hazards involved in introducing a radiopaque agent. Sodium pertechnetate ( 99m TcO 4 - ) produces no cardiocirculatory effects or untoward actions and delivers only 0.13 rads of total body radiation. Following injection, the rapidly changing distribution of radioactivity within the heart is recorded by the scintillation camera-television system which includes no inherent dead time or overlap of the scanned field from frame to frame. Video tape replay is available immediately and sequential integrated pictures are possible at any rate up to 60 sec. Radioisotope images of longer intervals are easily obtained by the integration of successive stop-action fields reproduced on a high resolution television monitor and photographed on rapidly developed film. In addition, the replay may be gated and tracked, allowing selected phases to be integrated and time-concentration curves of blood flow. Five to 10 millicuries of 99m TcO 4 - in 2 to 8 cc were rapidly injected into selected cardiac chambers at the time of diagnostic catheterization in 50 patients with a variety of congenital and acquired forms of heart disease. Movement of radioisotope closely reflected the hemodynamic alterations caused by these conditions, as determined by standard contrast angiocardiography. The radioisotope-angiocardiogram provides a new approach for visualization of the cardiovascular system, does not require the use of radiopaque medium, is safer than angiography, and does not disturb circulatory function.

Untitled

“…In addition the first-pass radioisotope angiocardiogram can be used in qualitative diagnosis of left-to-right shunts (Kriss et al, 1972;Mason et al, 1969;Parker and Treves, 1977;Stocker et al, 1973;Treves and Collins-Nakai, 1976;Wesselhoeft et al, 1973). Furthermore, shunt localization may be achieved by the combination of radionuclide ventriculography and gamma-fit method.…”

Radionuclide ventriculography: A noninvasive method for the detection and quantification of left‐to‐right shunts in atrial septal defect

“…Both techniques may be used in the same patient after a single bolus injection of radioactive tracer. In addition the first-pass radioisotope angiocardiogram can be used in qualitative diagnosis of left-to-right shunts (Kriss et al, 1972;Mason et al, 1969;Parker and Treves, 1977;Stocker et al, 1973;Treves and Collins-Nakai, 1976;Wesselhoeft et al, 1973). Furthermore, shunt localization may be achieved by the combination of radionuclide ventriculography and gamma-fit method.…”

Noninvasive Assessment of Right Ventricular Function: Will There Be Resurgence in Radionuclide Imaging Techniques?

“…In these early stages, imaging was not performed, and measurements were obtained from changes in radioactivity detected over the patient's chest. Imaging of the right ventricle soon followed, but was only possible with interventricular administration of radionuclide [16]. In 1971, William H. Strauss and Barry L. Zaret developed the first noninvasive approach to acquire recognizable cardiac images using a method called "gating," which transferred information from the camera during set time intervals, triggered by the R wave of the patient's electrocardiogram [17].…”