Left heart imaging following inhalation of 15O-cabon dioxide: concise communication.

Accelerator-produced C15O2 (t 1/2 = 124 sec) is a uniquely useful radiopharmaceutical because it can be introduced rapidly and selectively into the left side of the heart by the simple noninvasive process of inhalation and breath-holding. A standard scintillation camera system was used to obtain images of the left heart by this technique. The procedure involves minimal radiation dose to the patient and may be repeated within a few minutes if necessary.