Name of the Procedure:

Cardiac Blood Pool Imaging, Gated Equilibrium, Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT), Wall Motion Study plus Ejection Fraction

Summary

Cardiac blood pool imaging, also known as gated equilibrium SPECT, is a non-invasive heart imaging procedure that uses a radioactive tracer to evaluate the motion of the heart walls and measure the ejection fraction, indicating how well the heart is pumping at rest.

Purpose

This procedure helps diagnose and assess a variety of heart conditions, such as heart failure or cardiomyopathy. It aims to evaluate how well the heart pumps blood, the motion of the heart walls, and the overall function of the heart.

Indications

• Symptoms of heart failure
• Unexplained shortness of breath
• Monitoring cardiac conditions
• Assessing the effectiveness of heart medications or other treatments
• Pre-surgical assessments for patients undergoing major cardiac or non-cardiac surgeries

Preparation

• You may be asked to avoid caffeine or nicotine before the test.
• Fasting for a few hours before the procedure might be required.
• Inform the healthcare provider of any medications you are taking, as some may need to be adjusted or paused.

Procedure Description

1. A small amount of a radioactive tracer is injected into a vein, usually in the arm.
2. You will lie on a table, and a special SPECT camera will take pictures of your heart from different angles.
3. The camera detects the radiation emitted by the tracer in the blood pool and creates detailed images of the heart.
4. The imaging is performed while the heart is at rest, synchronized (gated) with the heartbeat to assess wall motion and calculate the ejection fraction.
5. The procedure is painless and non-invasive, and no anesthesia or sedation is required.

Duration

The procedure typically takes about 1 to 2 hours, including preparation and imaging time.

Setting

This procedure is usually performed in a hospital's nuclear medicine department or an outpatient imaging center equipped with SPECT technology.

Personnel

• Nuclear medicine technologist
• Cardiologist or radiologist specializing in nuclear medicine

Risks and Complications

• Exposure to a small amount of radiation, though considered safe with minimal risk
• Rare risk of an allergic reaction to the tracer
• Potential discomfort from the tracer injection

Benefits

• Provides detailed and accurate information about heart function and structure
• Helps diagnose heart conditions early
• Non-invasive with no recovery time needed
• Can assess the effectiveness of ongoing treatments

Recovery

• No recovery time is needed; you can usually return to normal activities immediately.
• Follow-up appointments may be scheduled to discuss the results with your doctor.

Alternatives

• Echocardiography: An ultrasound of the heart which is non-invasive but may be less precise in certain conditions.
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the heart – which provides detailed images but may not be suitable for patients with implanted medical devices.
• Cardiac CT: Another form of imaging that uses X-rays to create detailed images.

Patient Experience

• You may feel a slight pinch with the tracer injection.
• Lying still for a prolonged period might cause minor discomfort.
• There are no significant sensations during the imaging itself.
• Pain management is typically not needed given the non-invasive nature of the procedure.