Ventricular Function Assessment

The assessment of left ventricular (LV) function is an essential part of the diagnosis and treatment of cardiomyopathies. Nuclear cardiology techniques can be used for assessment of global and regional ventricular function. The two most frequently used modalities are gated perfusion imaging with either Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) or Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Equilibrium Radionuclide Angiography (ERNA) also known as Multiple-gated Acquisition (MUGA) or radionuclide ventriculography (RVG). SPECT or PET myocardial perfusion imaging is commonly used for the assessment of coronary artery disease, and the inclusion of ECG-gating to standard protocols has provides the evaluation of left ventricular function and improved accuracy in the detection of coronary artery disease. ECG-gated myocardial perfusion imaging studies are primarily performed in conjunction with perfusion and rarely for assessment of ventricular function alone. In contrast, ERNA studies are solely for the evaluation of ventricular function. Ventricular function assessment can provide information on global left and right ventricular function, regional function, and left ventricular dyssynchrony.