[Emission computed tomography of the left ventricle. Multiplanar ECG-triggered radionuclide ventriculography with a...

Tomographic studies and time-dependent tomograms on phantoms and patients were carried out using a 7-pinhole collimator in order to study the clinical value of ECG-triggered tomographic radionuclid ventriculography. A suitable computer programme has been developed. The results have shown that it is possible to evaluate local contraction abnormalities by this method. Using a left oblique position of the collimator (LAO [45 degrees]-cranial [15 degrees] ), emission computer tomography is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the heart. In this way, a single projection is sufficient to show the motility of the anterior and posterior walls and of the septum. Hypokinesis, akinesis or dyskinesis can be recognised visually. The localisation and extent of the defect can be determined through the 7-pinhole collimator. Reconstructed images of the triggered radionuclid scintigrams show excellent marginal definition. In the RAO projection, the left ventricle can be seen without superimposition and images obtained which equal those of a first-pass technique.