Radionuclide detection of abnormal ventricular filling patterns in rejecting human allografts

Parameters of systolic and diastolic function obtained from radionuclide ventriculography (RNV) were evaluated in nine cardiac allograft recipients. In 25 examinations, left end-diastolic volume (LEDV), cardiac output (CO), left ejection fraction (LEF), right ejection fraction (REF), heart rate (HR), peak filling rate (PFR), time to peak filling rate (TPFR), peak ejection rate (PER), and average filling rate for the first half of diastole (DFRH) were determined. Endomyocardial biopsy was obtained within 48 hours. Biopsies were divided into three treatment classes (0 = normal; 1 = rejection but not requiring supplemental therapy; and 2 = rejection requiring supplemental immunotherapy). Two independent variables of diastolic function proved to be significant (DFRH P less than 0.00001, and PFR P less than 0.002) predictors of the dependent variable class when regression analysis was applied to the data. Alterations in diastolic function associated with acute rejection are detectable on RNV and simulate changes anticipated in a primary restrictive cardiomyopathy.