Radioisotopic angiocardiography: pre- and postoperative evaluation of patients with congenital and acquired cardiovascular disease

Results of intravenous radioisotopic (99/sup m/Tc) angiocardiography demonstrate that markedly abnormal and distinguishable scintiphotographic patterns are obtained in a variety of specific cardiovascular diseases. The conditions include congenital and acquired heart disease, involving both right- and left-sided lesions, and diseases of the great vessels and pericardium. The scintiphotographic criteria which are being applied currently in our laboratory for diagnostic purposes in evaluating some of these conditions have been described, particular emphasis being given in this report to those patients who have been studied pre- and postoperatively. The accuracy and immediate clinical relevance of the data gained combined with simplicity, speed, and safety of the procedure make this an attractive, useful clinical procedure. In general, we recommend that radioisotopic angiocardiography be performed as a screening procedure prior to cardiac catheterization or selective contrast angiography. (U.S.)