Optimizing images of acute deep-vein thrombosis using technetium-99m-apcitide.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this paper is to introduce the nuclear medicine technologist to a new radiopharmaceutical, 99mTc-apcitide, for imaging acute venous thrombosis. After reading this paper, the technologist should be able to: (a) describe patient preparation for imaging with 99mTc-apcitide; (b) state the amount of 99mTc-apcitide that is administered to patients for imaging acute venous thrombosis; (c) explain patient positioning for optimal image acquisition; and (d) discuss gamma camera acquisition parameters and their importance in obtaining high-quality images. Clinical cases illustrate both the whole-body distribution and diagnostic value of 99mTc-apcitide in detecting acute deep-vein thrombosis.