Radionuclide angiocardiography
Radionuclide Angiocardiography is a medical imaging technique used in the diagnosis and evaluation of various cardiovascular conditions. This non-invasive procedure involves the use of radioactive materials, known as radionuclides, to capture dynamic images of the heart and its chambers, providing valuable information about the heart's function and structure.
Overview[edit | edit source]
Radionuclide angiocardiography, also referred to as nuclear angiocardiography, utilizes gamma cameras to detect gamma rays emitted from radionuclides injected into the bloodstream. The most commonly used radionuclide in this procedure is Technetium-99m (Technetium-99m), due to its ideal physical half-life and radiation characteristics. The images obtained through this technique are known as radionuclide angiograms.
Indications[edit | edit source]
Radionuclide angiocardiography is indicated for patients with suspected or known cardiovascular diseases, including:
- Evaluation of left ventricular function and right ventricular function
- Detection of cardiac shunts
- Assessment of cardiomyopathy
- Evaluation of heart failure
- Monitoring of ventricular function in patients undergoing chemotherapy
Procedure[edit | edit source]
The procedure begins with the intravenous injection of a radionuclide tracer. Following the injection, the patient is positioned under a gamma camera. The camera captures images of the heart as the tracer moves through the cardiac chambers, allowing for the visualization of blood flow and heart muscle activity. The procedure typically lasts for about 30 minutes.
Advantages[edit | edit source]
Radionuclide angiocardiography offers several advantages over other imaging modalities:
- It provides quantitative data on ventricular function, including ejection fraction and stroke volume.
- It can assess both systolic and diastolic function.
- It is less invasive than traditional cardiac catheterization.
Risks[edit | edit source]
The risks associated with radionuclide angiocardiography are minimal. The amount of radiation exposure is low and generally considered safe for most patients. However, it is not recommended for pregnant women due to potential risks to the fetus.
Conclusion[edit | edit source]
Radionuclide angiocardiography is a valuable diagnostic tool in the field of cardiology, offering detailed insights into the functioning of the heart. Its ability to provide quantitative data on ventricular function makes it an essential procedure for the assessment and management of various cardiovascular conditions.
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD