2.1 Rest Imaging Study
Aseptically withdraw Ammonia N 13 Injection from its container and administer 10-20 mCi (0.368 – 0.736 GBq) as a bolus through a catheter inserted into a large peripheral vein.
Start imaging 3 minutes after the injection and acquire images for a total of 10-20 minutes.
2.2 Stress Imaging Study
If a rest imaging study is performed, begin the stress imaging study 40 minutes or more after the first Ammonia N 13 injection to allow sufficient isotope decay.
Administer a pharmacologic stress-inducing drug in accordance with its labeling.
Aseptically withdraw Ammonia N 13 Injection from its container and administer 10-20 mCi (0.368 – 0.736 GBq) of Ammonia N 13 Injection as a bolus at 8 minutes after the administration of the pharmacologic stress-inducing drug.
Start imaging 3 minutes after the Ammonia N 13 Injection and acquire images for a total of 10-20 minutes.
2.3 Patient Preparation
To increase renal clearance of radioactivity and to minimize radiation dose to the bladder, ensure that the patient is well hydrated before the procedure and encourage voiding as soon as a study is completed and as often as possible thereafter for at least one hour.
2.4 Radiation Dosimetry
The converted radiation absorbed doses in rem/mCi are shown in Table 1. These estimates are calculated from the Task Group of Committee 2 of the International Commission on Radiation Protection.1
Table 1: N 13 Absorbed Radiation Dose Per Unit Activity (rem/mCi) for Adults and Pediatric Groups.
Organ
Age (years)
Adult
15
10
5
1
*
Upper large intestine,
†
Lower large intestine
Adrenals
0.0085
0.0096
0.016
0.025
0.048
Bladder wall
0.030
0.037
0.056
0.089
0.17
Bone surfaces
0.0059
0.0070
0.011
0.019
0.037
Brain
0.016
0.016
0.017
0.019
0.027
Breast
0.0067
0.0067
0.010
0.017
0.033
Stomach wall
0.0063
0.0078
0.012
0.019
0.037
Small intestine
0.0067
0.0081
0.013
0.021
0.041
*ULI
0.0067
0.0078
0.013
0.021
0.037
†LLI
0.0070
0.0078
0.013
0.020
0.037
Heart
0.0078
0.0096
0.015
0.023
0.041
Kidneys
0.017
0.021
0.031
0.048
0.089
Liver
0.015
0.018
0.029
0.044
0.085
Lungs
0.0093
0.011
0.018
0.029
0.056
Ovaries
0.0063
0.0085
0.014
0.021
0.041
Pancreas
0.0070
0.0085
0.014
0.021
0.041
Red marrow
0.0063
0.0078
0.012
0.020
0.037
Spleen
0.0093
0.011
0.019
0.030
0.056
Testes
0.0067
0.0070
0.011
0.018
0.035
Thyroid
0.0063
0.0081
0.013
0.021
0.041
Uterus
0.0070
0.0089
0.014
0.023
0.041
Other tissues
0.0059
0.0070
0.011
0.018
0.035
2.5 Drug Handling
Inspect Ammonia N 13 Injection visually for particulate matter and discoloration before administration, whenever solution and container permit.
Do not administer Ammonia N 13 Injection containing particulate matter or discoloration; dispose of these unacceptable or unused preparations in a safe manner, in compliance with applicable regulations.
Wear waterproof gloves and effective shielding when handling Ammonia N 13 Injection.
Use aseptic technique to maintain sterility during all operations involved in the manipulation and administration of Ammonia N 13 Injection. The contents of each vial are sterile and non-pyrogenic.
Use appropriate safety measures, including shielding, consistent with proper patient management to avoid unnecessary radiation exposure to the patient, occupational workers, clinical personnel, and other persons.
Radiopharmaceuticals should be used by or under the control of physicians who are qualified by specific training and experience in the safe use and handling of radionuclides, and whose experience and training have been approved by the appropriate governmental agency authorized to license the use of radionuclides.
Before administration of Ammonia N 13 Injection, assay the dose in a properly calibrated dose calibrator.