Gated First-Pass RVEF as a Routine Procedure with Cardiac Studies

Abstract

Evaluation of right ventricular function has proven to be a valuable tool in assessment of a variety of cardiac and noncardiac diseases. First-pass right ventricular studies can be easily performed with a multicrystal camera. For nuclear medicine departments with a single crystal camera, however, first-pass right ventricular studies become more difficult. We describe how the single crystal camera can be used to perform gated first-pass radionuclide angiocardiograms, a simple and effective way to determine right ventricular ejection fraction. The validity of such a first-pass study depends primarily on the administration of a compact radionuclide bolus. We have developed a simple method for bolus delivery, using the external jugular vein as the injection site. Our method, including data analysis, can be easily incorporated into routine multiple gated equilibrium cardiac studies.