cardiovascular radionucleotide imaging
Last reviewed 01/2018
Cardiovascular radionucleotide imaging involves the intravenous administration of a gamma-emitting radionucleotide, followed by gamma-camera-monitoring of the subsequent distribution of the label.
There are two classes of cardiac radionucleotide tests:
- intravascular radiolabel provides angiographic images:
- radionucleotide angiography of the heart
- pulmonary perfusion studies
- radiolabel which is taken up by myocardium may be used to assess coronary blood supply and myocardial viability:
- myocardial perfusion scintigraphy
- hot-spot scintigraphy
Ventilation perfusion scans are radionucleotide studies which are most commonly used in the diagnosis of suspected pulmonary embolism.
ventilation-perfusion scanning