Assessment of left ventricular wall motion by optional multiple long-axial gated blood pool SPECT

Optional multiple long-axial gated blood pool SPECT images were prepared for the purpose of stereoscopic and quantitative imaging of left ventricular wall motion (LVWM). Sixteen patients with ischemic heart disease and 8 healthy subjects were imaged in 32 views in the 360 degrees position after iv injection of 740 MBq of Tc-99m-labeled human serum albumin D. The R-R interval was divided into 16. After preparing conventional oblique images, long-axial images were prepared. Shortening rate of left ventricular wall was calculated in 5 segments of the apex and base of the left ventricle. An average shortening rate in each segment was graded with a score from a minimum of 0 to a maximum of 40% or more. In the normal group, shortening rate in each segment, except for the base of the septal region, exceeded 40%. In the group of ischemic heart disease, radial shortening was capable of visualizing the degree and extent of the whole LVWM abnormality. LVWM abnormality seen on left ventriculograms was in good agreement with shortening rate seen on vertical long-axial images. There was also a significant correlation in shortening rate of left ventricular wall between left ventriculography and vertical long-axial imaging (r=0.887). Optional multiple long-axial gated blood pool SPECT is considered useful for the stereoscopic evaluation of LVWM. (N.K.)