Analysis of time-activity curves related to myocardial metabolism. The case of 123I-heptadecanoic acid.

Time-activity curves are frequently used in the external assessment of the kinetics of radiolabelled non-esterified fatty acids. Analysis of time-activity curves is accomplished by fitting an analytical curve through the data points of the time-activity curve, resulting in two or more parameters of the curve fit. Before interpreting the results of curve fitting, the precision of each of the parameters has to be determined. In the present study the precision of the parameters of monoexponential plus constant curve fit of time-activity curves after administration of 123I-heptadecanoic acid was assessed for an acquisition time of 75 min. Two parameters were used, the T1/2 of the monoexponential and the ratio A/A+C, where A is the amplitude of the monoexponential and C the constant. A model study was used to assess the precision of the parameters of curve fitting. The precision of the parameters was calculated for wide ranges of the T1/2 (0-60 min), A/A+C (0-100%) and the noise content of the time-activity curve. The results are presented as the 10th and 90th percentiles.