Author/Editor     Gmeiner-Stopar, Tanja; Sočan, Aljaž; Kolenc-Peitl, Petra
Title     Adsorption of radiopharmaceuticals to syringes: setting up a reliable protocol for its assessment
Type     članek
Source     Nucl Med Commun
Vol. and No.     Letnik 28, št. 12
Publication year     2007
Volume     str. 951-5
Language     eng
Abstract     Background It is well known that various drugs, including radiopharmaceuticals, may adsorb to plastic syringes to different extents. Some reports suggest that adsorption can reach levels of almost 50s/o. The consequence of adsorption of a radiopharmaceutical and subsequent inadequate dosing can include an inappropriate diagnostic response in patients, an increase in the duration of investigation or treatment, and an increase in cost. Aim To investigate the extent of adsorption of 99mTc-succimer to plastic syringes and to set up a reliable protocol for assessment of the extent of retention of drugs to single-use plastic syringes before a new syringe brand and/or radiopharmaceutical are introduced in a nuclear medicine department. Methods Radiopharmaceutical kits from two different manufacturers were compared for retention using syringes from three different producers. To assess the influence of dilution on retention, 99mTc-succimer preparations were further diluted with sodium chloride solution for injection. Syringes were filled to one-third of their capacity and incubated at room temperature before being emptied into vacuum vials. The radioactivity of the syringes was measured before and after emptying. The extent of retained radioactivity was calculated as a percentage of radioactivity in the syringe before emptying. Results Results show that adsorption of 99mTc-succimer considerably differs between syringe. brands. The adsorption of undiluted 99mTc-succimer in 30 min may exceed 50%. Conclusion The findings show that measurement of retention in syringes and injection sets should be regarded as an essential aspect of quality assurance before radiopharmaceuticals, syringes and injection sets are used routinely.
Descriptors     RADIOPHARMACEUTICALS
SYRINGES
TECHNETIUM
SUCCIMER
ADSORPTION
SODIUM CHLORIDE