Radiolabelling of human platelets with 99mTc-HMPAO

The optimum conditions for labelling platelets with lipophilic 99mTc-hexamethyl propylene amine oxime (99mTc-HMPAO) were evaluated. An aseptic closed system was used throughout the procedure in patient studies. 48 ml blood were withdrawn into 12 ml ACD using sterile 60 ml plastic syringes. After mixing, the blood was transferred to sterile 10 ml vacuum tubes and platelets were isolated according to standard centrifugation procedures. The labelling efficiency was not dependent upon incubation temperature (22 degrees C, 37 degrees C) but was greater in saline than in the presence of plasma. The labelling efficiency increased with time up to 60 min in saline. The elution of 99mTc from platelets was about 25% in plasma milieu in vitro but did not increase with time during 160 min. 5 patients with verified fresh deep vein thrombosis in the lower leg were imaged after injection of labelled autologous platelets. All 4 of the patients without anticoagulant therapy showed positive uptake of 99mTc-HMPAO-labelled platelets, but the 5th patient--under heparin therapy--was negative in scintigraphy. Our results are encouraging and 99mTc-HMPAO-labelled platelets offer a promising tool for evaluating various clinical situations.