Evaluation of right-ventricular function by gated blood-pool scintigraphy

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Medical Imaging
• Nuclear Cardiology

Background:

• Right-ventricular (RV) function is crucial for cardiac health.
• Accurate assessment of RV function is essential for diagnosing and managing various cardiac disorders.
• Current methods for evaluating RV function can be complex and time-consuming.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review modalities for evaluating right-ventricular (RV) function.
• To investigate functional imaging for regional RV analysis and region of interest (ROI) selection.
• To develop and validate a method for determining RV ejection fraction using a single RV ROI.

Main Methods:

• Utilized functional imaging with Fourier phase and amplitude analysis in a modified LAO projection.
• Developed a single RV ROI technique for RV ejection fraction determination.
• Compared the single-ROI method with the established double-ROI technique (Maddahi).

Main Results:

• RV ejection fraction values from the single-ROI method correlated highly with the double-ROI technique (r = 0.95).
• A regression equation was derived to correct for single-ROI underestimation.
• The single-ROI technique demonstrated better inter- and intra-observer variability compared to the double-ROI method.
• Analysis of regional RV function identified specific wall motion abnormalities.

Conclusions:

• RV ejection fraction can be reliably measured using an adequate single diastolic ROI.
• A simple equilibrium gated technique provides comprehensive global and regional RV function data.
• This method should complement left-ventricular function analysis for a complete cardiac assessment.