Left Ventricular Function Parameters in a Hispanic Population: Comparison of Planar & Tomographic Radionuclide Ventriculography (MUGA)

Abstract

Objective: Left ventricular (LV) function parameters have major diagnostic and prognostic importance in heart disease. Measurement of ventricular function with tomographic (SPECT) radionuclide ventriculography (MUGA) decreases camera time, improves contrast resolution, accuracy of interpretation and the overall reliability of the study as compared to planar MUGA. The relationship between these techniques is well established particularly with LV ejection fraction (LVEF), while there is limited data comparing the diastolic function parameters. Our goal was to validate the LV function parameters in our Hispanic population. Methods: Studies from 44 patients, available from 2009-2010, were retrospectively evaluated. Results: LVEF showed a good correlation between the techniques (r = 0.94) with an average difference of 3.8%. In terms of categorizing the results as normal or abnormal, this remained unchanged in 95% of the cases (p = 0.035). For the peak filling rate, there was a moderate correlation between the techniques (r = 0.71), whereas the diagnosis remained unchanged in 89% of cases (p = 0.0004). Time to peak filling values only demonstrated a weak correlation (r = 0.22). Nevertheless, the diagnosis remained the same in 68% of the cases (p = 0.089). Conclusion: Systolic function results in our study were well below the 7-10% difference reported in the literature. Only a weak to moderate correlation was observed with the diastolic function parameters. Comparison with echocardiogram (not available) may be of benefit to evaluate which of these techniques results in more accurate diastolic function parameters.