Safety of the direct coronary injection of radiolabeled particles.

Abstract

Macroaggregates of albumin (MAA) labeled with /sup 131/I and /sup 99m/Tc were injected into the right and left coronary arteries, respectively, of 800 patients at the time of cororary angiography. Microspheres of albumin (HAM labeled with /sup 99m/Tc were substituted for macroaggregates in the last 400 patients and injected into the left coronary artery. The radiopharmaceutical was carefully prepared with strict limitation of the number and size of particles and total amount of carrier protein. The electrocardiogram and aortic blood pressure were monitored following the injection of labeled particles. No significant electrocardiographic or aortic pressure changes occurred secondary to the radioactive microemboli. There was no mortality and no demonstrable morbidity. It was concluded that the intracoronary injection of labeled particles is safe in humans when performed under carefully controlled conditions. (auth)