Radionuclide angiography

Radionuclide angiography is a type of medical imaging that uses small amounts of radioactive material to diagnose or treat a variety of diseases, including heart disease. This procedure is also known as nuclear medicine imaging.

Overview

Radionuclide angiography involves the injection of a radionuclide, or radioactive tracer, into the bloodstream. This tracer emits gamma rays, which are detected by a special camera and computer to create images of the blood vessels and organs. The images can show the structure and function of the organs, and can help doctors diagnose and treat medical conditions.

Procedure

During radionuclide angiography, a small amount of radioactive tracer is injected into a vein. The tracer travels through the bloodstream and is taken up by the organs and tissues. A special camera, called a gamma camera, detects the gamma rays emitted by the tracer and sends the information to a computer, which creates images of the blood vessels and organs.

The procedure is usually performed in a hospital or outpatient imaging center. The patient lies on a table and the gamma camera is positioned over the area to be imaged. The procedure usually takes about an hour, but the radioactive tracer may take several hours or even days to travel through the body.

Uses

Radionuclide angiography is used to diagnose and treat a variety of medical conditions, including:

• Heart disease: The procedure can show the size and shape of the heart, the thickness and movement of the heart walls, and the function of the heart valves. It can also show areas of the heart that are not receiving enough blood, which can indicate a blockage in the coronary arteries.

• Lung disease: The procedure can show the size and shape of the lungs, and can help diagnose conditions such as pulmonary embolism.

• Kidney disease: The procedure can show the size and shape of the kidneys, and can help diagnose conditions such as renal artery stenosis.

Risks

Like all medical procedures, radionuclide angiography carries some risks. These include:

• Radiation exposure: Although the amount of radiation used in the procedure is small, there is a small risk of developing cancer from the radiation.

• Allergic reaction: Some people may have an allergic reaction to the radioactive tracer.

• Infection: There is a small risk of infection from the injection of the tracer.

See also

• Nuclear medicine
• Medical imaging
• Gamma camera
• Radiation therapy