Optimal technetium-99m RBC labeling for gastrointestinal hemorrhage study

Four methods of Tc-99m red blood cell labeling were tested for labeling efficiency and kinetics in normal adults. From a perspective of the gastrointestinal hemorrhage study, the in vivo method was least appropriate because of extravascular loss of pertechnetate. The modified in vitro method was disadvantageous because of long labeling intervals in a syringe fixed to the patient's forearm (45 minutes). The pure in vitro methods produced the highest labeling efficiency (95% +) and are preferred by the authors.