Technetium-99m hexamethylpropylene amine oxime lung scintigraphy findings in low-dose amiodarone therapy

Lung. 2006 Mar-Apr;184(2):57-61. doi: 10.1007/s00408-005-2562-3.

Abstract

Amiodarone (AD)-induced pulmonary toxicity is one of the major complications of long-term AD therapy. Technetium-99m-labeled D: ,L: -hexamethylpropylene amine oxime (Tc-99m HMPAO) scintigraphy has been used to assess lung injury. We designed this study to clarify lung uptake changes of Tc-99m HMPAO using low doses of AD (5 mg/kg/day) during long-term therapy in a rabbit model. Group 1 consisted of 7 rabbits fed with AD by gavage for 6 months. To investigate the effect of ketamine on Tc-99m HMPAO uptake, 5 rabbits were included in Group 2 as a control group. Tc-99m HMPAO scintigraphy was performed in both Group 1 and Group 2 at baseline and after 2, 4, 6, 8, and 12 weeks of AD intake. After 16, 20, and 24 weeks of drug intake, Tc-99m HMPAO scintigraphy was repeated only in group 1. One-min anterior images were acquired 30 min after the injection of 37 MBq of Tc-99m HMPAO. For semiquantitative evaluation, the mean count values were obtained and lung/background and liver/background ratios were calculated. Histopathologic evaluation was performed. No increase in lung and liver uptake of Tc-99m HMPAO was found 2, 4, 6, 8, and 12 weeks after drug intake. There was no significant increase in L/B and H/B ratios of Tc-99m HMPAO in Group 1 compared with Group 2. Both scintigraphic studies and histopathologic examinations showed nonspecific changes. Longitudinal studies investigating Tc-99m HMPAO lung uptake may be planned in patients carrying risk factors for AD-induced lung toxicity.

MeSH terms

  • Amiodarone / administration & dosage*
  • Amiodarone / adverse effects
  • Animals
  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / adverse effects
  • Female
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Lung / diagnostic imaging*
  • Lung / metabolism*
  • Lung / pathology
  • Lung Diseases / chemically induced
  • Lung Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Lung Injury
  • Models, Biological
  • Rabbits
  • Radionuclide Imaging
  • Radiopharmaceuticals* / pharmacokinetics
  • Technetium Tc 99m Exametazime* / pharmacokinetics

Substances

  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Technetium Tc 99m Exametazime
  • Amiodarone