Right ventricular pressure-volume loops using simultaneous radionuclide angiography with a multiwire gamma camera and right heart catheterization

J Nucl Cardiol. 2005 Jul-Aug;12(4):435-40. doi: 10.1016/j.nuclcard.2005.04.008.

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study was to generate right ventricular (RV) pressure-volume loops (PVLs) from time-activity curves obtained by first-pass radionuclide angiography (RNA) and RV pressures obtained by right heart catheterization.

Methods and results: Short-lived tantalum 178 was used to obtain first-pass RNA at baseline (n = 31), after nitroglycerin (n = 5), or after the conclusion of cardiac catheterization (n = 13). From the radionuclide-derived RV ejection fraction and thermodilution stroke volume, the RV end-diastolic volume and end-systolic volume were measured. Special proprietary software was developed and used to integrate the pressure and the RNA data. The mean heart rate was 80 +/- 17 beats/min; RV ejection fraction, 39% +/- 12%; RV end-diastolic volume, 217 +/- 79 mL; RV end-systolic volume, 142 +/- 74 mL; and RV end-diastolic pressure, 10 +/- 7 mm Hg. The RV PVLs were of high quality and reproducible.

Conclusions: This study provides proof of concept of the feasibility of generating RV PVL; the short half-life (10 minutes) and low energy (59 keV) of Ta-178 allow the generation of multiple loops at low radiation exposure. Such studies could be performed at the bedside and provide a wealth of information that may have clinical and research merits.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Blood Pressure
  • Cardiac Catheterization / methods*
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Female
  • Gamma Cameras*
  • Humans
  • Image Enhancement / instrumentation
  • Image Enhancement / methods*
  • Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Stroke Volume
  • Ventricular Dysfunction, Right / diagnostic imaging*
  • Ventriculography, First-Pass / instrumentation
  • Ventriculography, First-Pass / methods*