Myocardial scintigraphy with bone tracers

Myocardial scintigraphy with bone tracers for the diagnosis of cardiac amyloidosis is a screening method for the diagnosis of amyloid cardiomyopathy (mainly ATTR-CMP).

General indications for myocardial scintigraphy:

• patients over 60 years of age with heart failure, with preserved ejection fraction and unexplained increase in LV wall thickness (>12 mm);
• patients, especially over 60 years of age, with clinical signs associated with amyloidosis, such as bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, low-gradient low-flow aortic stenosis, unexplained sensorimotor neuropathy, resistant atrial arrhythmias, grade 2 atrioventricular (AV) blockade and discordance between ECG voltage and LV wall thickness in the absence of usual risk factors;
• echo- or MRI-signs of cardiac amyloidosis in clinical settings, indicating ATTR-amyloidosis;
• patients with transthyretin amyloid polyneuropathy;
• patients with a positive test for a known mutation of the TTR gene.

What documents are needed for scintigraphy?

On the day of the study you need to have with you:

• passport
• data from previous studies in other medical institutions (in the absence of data in the EMIAS system).

How to prepare for scintigraphy?

No special training is required.

HOW IS THE STUDY GOING?

Conducting research.

• The total time spent in the department will be at least 3-4 hours.
• It is necessary to appear at the registry office of the department on the 1st floor of the 1st building sector 1B at the strictly appointed time.
• After completing the necessary documentation at the registry, the nurse will take you to the treatment room for the introduction of RFLP.
• After the introduction of the radiopharmaceutical drug (RFLP) based on [99mTc], the nurse will take you to the rest room, where you need to stay for about 3 hours (this time interval is required for the distribution of RFLP).
• Immediately before the myocardial scintigraphy, the nurse will ask you to empty your bladder and take you to the room with the tomograph. It is necessary to remove all accessories, then the nurse will carry out the installation on the tomograph table.
• The scintigraphy procedure takes about 40 minutes in the supine position, all this time it is necessary to lie motionless on the tomograph table in order to avoid artifacts that may make it difficult or impossible for a radiologist to describe the results of the study.
• After completing the study, you can leave the department.

After the study.

• After the study, you will not pose any danger to others and should not experience any household or other inconveniences, however, within 24 - 48 hours after the introduction of the RFP based on [99mTc], the following recommendations should be observed:

        - limit close contact with young children and pregnant women.

• If necessary, upon request, on the day of the scintigraphy, a certificate confirming the introduction of the RFLP is issued – if on the day of the study you plan to use an intercity bus, railway or air transport.
• The conclusion will be issued on the day of the study.