Definition and research guide
This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.
Content available: 4 complete abstracts (753 words), 10 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.
Definition
The measurement of visualization by radiation of any organ after a radionuclide has been injected into its blood supply. It is used to diagnose heart, liver, lung, and other diseases and to measure the function of those organs, except renography, for which radioisotope renography is available.
Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.
Also known as: Angiography, Radioisotope; Angiographies, Radioisotope; Radioisotope Angiographies; Radioisotope Angiography; Angiography, Radionuclide; Angiographies, Radionuclide; Radionuclide Angiographies.
Where it fits in the MeSH classification
- Broader topics
- Radionuclide Imaging; Angiography
- Narrower topics
- Radioisotope Renography; Radionuclide Ventriculography
Related concepts
- Radioisotope Renography
Research landscape
PubMed indexes 9,350 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Radionuclide Angiography” (counts retrieved 2026-11-04). 130 of them (1.4%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is through 1999 with 6,598 records.
Reviews account for 691 records (7.4%) and meta-analyses for 12. Randomized controlled trials number 233 (2.5%) as a share of all records on the topic.
Show the data
| Period | Records |
|---|---|
| through 1999 | 6,598 |
| 2000-2009 | 1,902 |
| 2010-2019 | 720 |
| 2020 onward | 130 |
Publication-type chart data
| Type | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews | 691 | 7.4% |
| Meta-analyses | 12 | 0.1% |
| Randomized controlled trials | 233 | 2.5% |
Method: PubMed query "Radionuclide Angiography"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-11-04.
Reading the evidence in diagnostics and medical technology
A test or device is judged by how well it detects a condition, how often it gives false alarms or misses cases, and whether using it improves outcomes for people. Accuracy depends on who is tested and how common the condition is, so a test that performs well in a specialist hospital can perform differently in the community. Check the reference standard, the population studied, the sensitivity and specificity and whether results were confirmed in a separate group.
Evidence from open-access studies
These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.
BNP predicts chemotherapy-related cardiotoxicity and death: comparison with gated equilibrium radionuclide ventriculography [1]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- UnlabelledCardiotoxicity is a dose-limiting side-effect of cancer chemotherapeutics such as anthracyclines.
- Closing excerpt
- This prospective study based on the hitherto largest study population supports BNP as a clinical relevant method for monitoring chemotherapy-related cardiac failure and death.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (239 words)
UnlabelledCardiotoxicity is a dose-limiting side-effect of cancer chemotherapeutics such as anthracyclines. The drug-induced cardiac toxicity is currently monitored with repeated assessments of the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) using multigated equilibrium radionuclide ventriculography (MUGA) or echocardiography. However, the plasma cardiac biomarker B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) has been suggested for early identification of cardiac dysfunction. The aim of the study was to compare LVEF obtained by MUGA and plasma BNP as predictors of developing congestive heart failure (CHF) or death in a population of anthracycline-treated cancer patients.MethodsWe prospectively followed 333 cancer patients referred to our department for routine monitoring of LVEF with MUGA and measurement of BNP, January-December 2004. Study end points were hospitalization for CHF and death during follow-up 2004-2010. Data were obtained from the Danish National Patient Registry.ResultsDuring follow-up (mean 1,360 days), 21 of the patients were admitted to hospital with a diagnosis of CHF and 194 of the patients died. BNP levels were significantly higher and LVEF lower in the group of patients that developed CHF. Using cut-off points of BNP>100 pg/ml (HR 5.5; CI 1.8-17.2; p = 0.003) and LVEF ConclusionIn cancer patients treated with cardiotoxic chemotherapy both BNP and LVEF can significantly predict subsequent hospitalization with CHF. In addition, BNP and not LVEF has a prognostic value in detecting overall death. This prospective study based on the hitherto largest study population supports BNP as a clinical relevant method for monitoring chemotherapy-related cardiac failure and death.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 24800827 · DOI · PMC4011788
Comparison of phase dyssynchrony analysis using gated myocardial perfusion imaging with four software programs: Based on the Japanese Society of Nuclear Medicine working group normal database [2]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- PurposeLeft ventricular (LV) phase dyssynchrony parameters based on gated myocardial perfusion imaging varied among software programs.
- Closing excerpt
- 3 for QGS (P ConclusionBased on normal ranges of phase dyssynchrony parameters in four software programs, dependency on genders, LV volume, and EF should be considered, indicating the need for careful comparison among different software programs.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (125 words)
PurposeLeft ventricular (LV) phase dyssynchrony parameters based on gated myocardial perfusion imaging varied among software programs. The aim of this study was to determine normal ranges and factors affecting phase parameters.MethodsNormal databases were derived from the Japanese Society of Nuclear Medicine working group (n = 69). The programs were Emory Cardiac Toolbox with SyncTool (ECTb), Quantitative Gated SPECT (QGS), Heart Function View (HFV), and cardioREPO (cREPO); parameters of phase standard deviation (PSD), 95% bandwidth, and entropy were compared with parameters with ECTb as a reference.ResultsPSD (degree) was 5.3 ± 3.3 for QGS (P ConclusionBased on normal ranges of phase dyssynchrony parameters in four software programs, dependency on genders, LV volume, and EF should be considered, indicating the need for careful comparison among different software programs.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 26860109 · DOI · PMC5413527
Does diastolic dysfunction precede systolic dysfunction in trastuzumab-induced cardiotoxicity? Assessment with multigated radionuclide angiography (MUGA) [3]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- BackgroundTrastuzumab is successfully used for the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer.
- Closing excerpt
- An impairment of MUGA-derived diastolic parameters does not occur prior to SD and therefore cannot be used as earlier predictors of TIC.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (190 words)
BackgroundTrastuzumab is successfully used for the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer. Because of its association with cardiotoxicity, LVEF is monitored by MUGA, though this is a relatively late measure of cardiac function. Diastolic dysfunction (DD) is believed to be an early predictor of cardiac impairment. We evaluate the merit of MUGA-derived diastolic function parameters in the early detection of trastuzumab-induced cardiotoxicity (TIC).Methods and results77 trastuzumab-treated patients with normal baseline systolic and diastolic function were retrospectively selected (n = 77). All serial MUGA examinations were re-analyzed for systolic and diastolic function parameters. 36 patients (47%) developed SD and 45 patients (58%) DD during treatment. Both systolic and diastolic parameters significantly decreased. Of the patients with SD, 24 (67%) also developed DD. DD developed prior to systolic impairment in 54% of cases, in 42% vice versa, while time to occurrence did not differ significantly (P = .52). This also applied to the subgroup of advanced stage breast cancer patients (P = .1).ConclusionsTrastzumab-induced SD and DD can be detected by MUGA. An impairment of MUGA-derived diastolic parameters does not occur prior to SD and therefore cannot be used as earlier predictors of TIC.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 26048264 · DOI · PMC4956716
Comparison of CT volumetry versus nuclear renography for predicting remaining kidney function after uninephrectomy in living kidney donors [4]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Computed tomography (CT) and nuclear renography are used to determine kidney procurement in living kidney donors (LKDs).
- Closing excerpt
- In conclusion, CT volumetry is preferred when determining procurement strategy especially when discordance is found between the two imaging modalities.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (199 words)
Computed tomography (CT) and nuclear renography are used to determine kidney procurement in living kidney donors (LKDs). The present study investigated which modality better predicts kidney function after donation. This study included 835 LKDs and they were divided into two subgroups based on whether the left-right dominance of kidney volume was concordant with kidney function (concordant group) or not (discordant group). The predictive value for post-donation kidney function between the two imaging modalities was compared at 1 month, 6 months, and > 1 year in total cohort, concordant, and discordant groups. Split kidney function (SKF) measured by both modalities showed significant correlation with each other at baseline. SKFs of remaining kidney measured using both modalities before donation showed significant correlation with eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate) after donation in the total cohort group and two subgroups, respectively. CT volumetry was superior to nuclear renography for predicting post-donation kidney function in the total cohort group and both subgroups. In the discordant subgroup, a higher tendency of kidney function recovery was observed when kidney procurement was determined based on CT volumetry. In conclusion, CT volumetry is preferred when determining procurement strategy especially when discordance is found between the two imaging modalities.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 35332250 · DOI · PMC8948196
Key reviews and meta-analyses
The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.
- Research article Apical ballooning syndrome (Tako-Tsubo or stress cardiomyopathy): a mimic of acute myocardial infarction [5]
- Research article Prognostic value of gated myocardial perfusion SPECT [6]
- Research article Guidelines for the measurement of glomerular filtration rate using plasma sampling [7]
- Research article Report of the Radionuclides in Nephrourology Committee on renal clearance [8]
- Research article Iodinated blood pool contrast media for preclinical X-ray imaging applications--a review [9]
- Research article The "well tempered" diuretic renogram: a standard method to examine the asymptomatic neonate with hydronephrosis or hydroureteronephrosis. A report from combined meetings of The Society for Fetal Urology and members of The Pediatric Nuclear Medicine Council--The Society of Nuclear Medicine [10]
References
- Skovgaard D, Hasbak P, Kjaer A. BNP predicts chemotherapy-related cardiotoxicity and death: comparison with gated equilibrium radionuclide ventriculography. . 2014. PMID 24800827 · DOI · PMC4011788
- Nakajima K, Okuda K, Matsuo S, Kiso K, Kinuya S, Garcia EV. Comparison of phase dyssynchrony analysis using gated myocardial perfusion imaging with four software programs: Based on the Japanese Society of Nuclear Medicine working group normal database. . 2017. PMID 26860109 · DOI · PMC5413527
- Reuvekamp EJ, Bulten BF, Nieuwenhuis AA, Meekes MR, de Haan AF, Tol J, et al.. Does diastolic dysfunction precede systolic dysfunction in trastuzumab-induced cardiotoxicity? Assessment with multigated radionuclide angiography (MUGA). . 2016. PMID 26048264 · DOI · PMC4956716
- Eum SH, Lee H, Ko EJ, Cho HJ, Yang CW, Chung BH. Comparison of CT volumetry versus nuclear renography for predicting remaining kidney function after uninephrectomy in living kidney donors. . 2022. PMID 35332250 · DOI · PMC8948196
- Prasad A, Lerman A, Rihal CS. Apical ballooning syndrome (Tako-Tsubo or stress cardiomyopathy): a mimic of acute myocardial infarction. Am Heart J. 2008. PMID 18294473 · DOI
- Shaw LJ, Iskandrian AE. Prognostic value of gated myocardial perfusion SPECT. J Nucl Cardiol. 2004. PMID 15052249 · DOI
- Fleming JS, Zivanovic MA, Blake GM, Burniston M, Cosgriff PS, British Nuclear Medicine Society. Guidelines for the measurement of glomerular filtration rate using plasma sampling. Nucl Med Commun. 2004. PMID 15266169 · DOI
- Blaufox MD, Aurell M, Bubeck B, Fommei E, Piepsz A, Russell C, et al.. Report of the Radionuclides in Nephrourology Committee on renal clearance. J Nucl Med. 1996. PMID 8917197 · DOI
- Hallouard F, Anton N, Choquet P, Constantinesco A, Vandamme T. Iodinated blood pool contrast media for preclinical X-ray imaging applications--a review. Biomaterials. 2010. PMID 20510444 · DOI
- Conway JJ, Maizels M. The "well tempered" diuretic renogram: a standard method to examine the asymptomatic neonate with hydronephrosis or hydroureteronephrosis. A report from combined meetings of The Society for Fetal Urology and members of The Pediatric Nuclear Medicine Council--The Society of Nuclear Medicine. J Nucl Med. 1992. PMID 1432172
About this article
- Sources
- NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
- Verification
- Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-11-04; title, year and DOI matched.
- Review state
- automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
- Version
- 1, last updated 2026-11-04.
See how EvidenceLib is built. Spotted an error? Email support@evidencehelix.com.
Evidence strength
EvidenceHelix's computed view of the study designs behind this topic: how common meta-analyses, randomized trials and reviews are, how recent the literature is, and a plain-language reading. It describes the design mix of the literature. It is not a quality appraisal of any study, and it is not medical advice.