Prevalence and significance of gallium-67 uptake in the heart after open-heart surgery

Journal Article · Mon Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1988 · Am. J. Cardiol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0002-9149(88)90954-X· OSTI ID:5406460

Huikuri, H V; Ikaeheimo, M J.A.; Airaksinen, J; Linnaluoto, M M; Heikkilae, J T; Takkunen, J T

Radioactive gallium-67 (Ga-67) has been shown to accumulate within areas of pericardial inflammation. The present study estimated prospectively the prevalence and clinical significance of Ga-67 uptake in the heart in 62 patients 10 to 16 days after open-heart surgery. Of 62 patients studied, markedly diffuse Ga-67 uptake was detected in 21 (34%) and focal or mild diffuse uptake in 23 (37%). Results were negative in 18 (29%). Nine patients with a negative scan result (50%) had received corticosteroid therapy before imaging, whereas only 2 patients with a positive scan result (5%) were receiving steroids. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein level were both higher in patients with Ga-67 uptake compared with those with a negative scan result (p less than 0.01 in both). No other clinical, echocardiographic or electrocardiographic indicators of postpericardiotomy syndrome were related to Ga-67 uptake. No patient developed cardiac tamponade or constrictive pericarditis during the 12-week follow-up and the Ga-67 scan results did not predict the occlusion of coronary artery bypass grafts. Thus, pericardial inflammation manifested as Ga-67 uptake is a common finding after open-heart surgery and appears to be a benign condition.

• Research Organization: Oulu Univ. Central Hospital (Finland)
• OSTI ID: 5406460
• Journal Information: Am. J. Cardiol.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. J. Cardiol.; (United States) Vol. 61:4; ISSN AJCDA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550601 -- Medicine-- Unsealed Radionuclides in Diagnostics
560161* -- Radionuclide Effects
Kinetics
& Toxicology-- Man
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BODY
CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
COUNTING TECHNIQUES
DAYS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
ELECTRON CAPTURE RADIOISOTOPES
GALLIUM 67
GALLIUM ISOTOPES
HEART
INTERMEDIATE MASS NUCLEI
ISOTOPES
MEDICINE
NUCLEI
ODD-EVEN NUCLEI
ORGANS
PATIENTS
RADIOISOTOPE SCANNING
RADIOISOTOPES
RADIONUCLIDE KINETICS
SURGERY
UPTAKE