Technetium chemistry. A review of applications in human myocardial and cerebral studies

Technetium is an artificial radioisotope with atomic number (43) and is a t rue second row transition element, More than (21) isotopes of technetium ha ve been discovered and characterized. Technetium can be obtained in weighab le amounts via the long lived isotope Tc-99 (T-1/2 = 2.1x10(5) y) by fissio n of nuclear fuel. The short lived isomer (99)mTc is one of the most widely used radionuclides in nuclear medicine. The handling of technetium on a sm all scale (< 20 mg) does not present a danger to health provided adequate p rotection against the weak beta emission is taken. The chemistry of technet ium in the oxidation state from (+7) to (+1) is exemplified. Tc-99m radioph armaceuticals using Mo-99-->Tc-99m radionuclide generator especially heart and brain radiopharmaceuticals have been evaluated.