Validation of the Gated Blood Pool SPECT: ERNA vs 3D Echo

This research study is designed to evaluate the accuracy of the techniques that are used to analyze heart function. The main purpose of this study is to analyze and compare three different methods of assessment of regional and overall heart function.

The purpose of the present study is to establish the reproducibility and to validate gated blood pool SPECT imaging with application of attenuation correction (ACGBS) in evaluation of left ventricular regional and global function and volumes, by direct comparison with Equilibrium Radionuclide Angiocardiography (ERNA) and 3-dimensional ECHO (3DE).

Each patient scheduled to undergo clinically requested ERNA imaging for assessment of LV function in the Yale University Cardiovascular Nuclear Imaging Laboratory will be an eligible candidate and will be asked to participate. Based on our referral pattern it will include both patients with cardiac and non-cardiac disease, the later usually consist of patients undergoing chemotherapy.

• Congestive Heart Failure
• Ventricular Function, Left

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Inclusion Criteria:

• All patients scheduled for routine clinically requested ERNA study for ejection fraction measurement at the Yale University Cardiovascular Nuclear Imaging Laboratory are eligible to be enrolled in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Unstable medical condition preventing additional imaging.
• Weight greater than 300lbs, prohibiting imaging on the SPECT/CT imaging system.
• Patients with intracardiac shunts, emphysema or previously demonstrated allergies to octafluoropropane (the gas in the microbubbles), will not receive intravenous contrast during 3 DE image acquisition.