• 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 18  (10) , 1010-1013
Abstract
Red blood cells (RBC) labeled in vivo with 99mTcO4- were recently recommended for blood-pool imaging, but the optimum conditions for in vivo labeling of RBC were not clearly defined. Several stannous-ion preparations and stannous-ion concentrations were evaluated in rats to determine which provided the best labeling. The effect of the time interval between the Sn(II) and 99mTcO4- injections and the effect of carrier technetium on labeling efficiency were studied. Maximal in vivo labeling efficiency was obtained using an i.v. dose of 10 .mu.g Sn(II)/kg followed 5-30 min later by an injection of 99mTcO4-. Neither the chelated form of stannous ion used in these studies nor the amount of carrier present had a significant effect on labeling efficiency. The biologic half-time of 99mTc RBC labeled in vivo was similar to that of 99mTc RBC labeled in vitro. In vivo labeling is a rapid and efficient method for the preparation of 99mTc RBC.