[Normal values in equilibrium radionuclide ventriculography. Results of a multicenter study]

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Nuclear Medicine
• Diagnostic Imaging
• Cardiac Function Assessment

Background:

• Equilibrium radionuclide ventriculography (ERNV) is a key technique for assessing cardiac function.
• Standardization of ERNV methods across different institutions is crucial for reliable results.
• Previous studies have highlighted variability in ERNV protocols and outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the current practices and results of ERNV in a multi-center setting within the FRG.
• To identify variations in equipment, methodology, and patient data among participating institutes.
• To evaluate the impact of ergometric workload on left-ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) as measured by ERNV.

Main Methods:

• A multi-center study involving 13 institutes in the FRG.
• Data collection via questionnaire on equipment, methods, and results of ERNV.
• Analysis of data from 585 non-cardiac patients undergoing ERNV.
• Assessment of global left-ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) at rest and during ergometric workload.

Main Results:

• The average global LVEF was 64%, with significant differences observed between institutes.
• Variations in subject selection and methodologies likely contributed to inter-institute discrepancies.
• Most institutes reported an LVEF increase >10% after a workload >100 W.
• While end-diastolic, end-systolic, and stroke volumes showed good agreement, peak ejection and filling rates varied considerably post-exercise.

Conclusions:

• ERNV demonstrates variability in LVEF measurements across different institutions, necessitating methodological standardization.
• Standardized protocols are essential for consistent assessment of cardiac function, particularly exercise-induced changes.
• Further research should focus on harmonizing ERNV techniques to improve diagnostic accuracy and comparability.