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Assessment of right ventricular function and anatomy using peripheral vein infusion of krypton 81m

Departments of Diagnostic Radiology and Clinical Cardiology, Royal Postgraduate Medical School, Hammersmith Hospital, London W12 0HS

A method for imaging the right side of the heart (atrium, ventricle and main pulmonary artery) and for assessment of RV systolic function (ejection fraction and ejection rate) is described. An ultra-short-lived isotope (⁸¹Kr^m) is continuously eluted in 5% dextrose and infused into an ante-cubital arm vein; standard multigated images are acquired using a gamma camera and commercially available software. Preliminary evaluation of the method in 55 subjects (20 with repaired tetralogy of Fallot, 14 with dilated cardiomyopathy and 21 normal volunteers) showed that the technical success rate was 100%; that RV boundaries free from LV overlap can be clearly visualised due to efficient exhalation of ⁸¹Kr^m through the lungs and that ⁸¹Kr^m measurements of RVEF are reproducible. The technique offers considerable potential for serial non-invasive assessment of RV function.

Received for publication November 1, 1982. Revision received February 1, 1983.