LEFT-VENTRICULAR EJECTION FRACTION AND SEGMENTAL WALL MOTION BY PERIPHERAL 1ST-PASS RADIONUCLIDE ANGIOGRAPHY

  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 19  (1) , 17-23
Abstract
A computerized edge-detection method was developed to obtain radionuclide ventriculograms for analysis of left-ventricular ejection fraction and segmental wall motion from first-pass studies following i.v. injection of radionuclide. The accuracy of this technique was examined in 21 patients undergoing cardiac catheterization. 99mTc DTPA [diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid] was injected into an antecubital vein, with data acquisition in the 30.degree. RAO [right anterior oblique] projection by a .gamma.-scintillation camera interfaced to a computer. A computerized profile analysis was used to determine objectively the edge of the left-ventricular blood pool. Time-activity curves were generated, and the ejection fraction was calculated from sequential end-diastolic and end-systolic count rates. The values for ejection fraction correlated well with those obtained by single-phase contrast ventriculography (r = 0.95). End-diastolic and end-systolic images were reconstructed from the time-activity curve. To analyze segmental wall motion, the left-ventricular outline was divided into 5 segments, and the motion of each segment was graded qualitatively from 1 to 5. Of 105 segments, 75 had the same grade as the wall motion determined by contrast angiography, and 102 of 105 were within 1 grade. (P < 0.001). The accuracy of this improved technique for objective, rapid and noninvasive determination of left-ventricular function was demonstrated.