macroaggregated albumin

Macroaggregated albumin is a biologic agent composed of human serum albumin that has been denatured and aggregated into particles by controlled heating. When labeled with the radioisotope technetium‑99m, it forms technetium Tc 99m macroaggregated albumin (Tc‑99m MAA), a radiopharmaceutical used primarily for diagnostic imaging. The primary clinical applications are in lung perfusion scintigraphy to assess pulmonary blood flow and in evaluating the patency of peritoneovenous (LeVeen) shunts. The mechanism involves intravenous injection of the radiolabeled aggregates, which become temporarily lodged in pulmonary capillaries due to their particle size; gamma emissions from technetium‑99m are then detected using gamma cameras to visualize regional blood flow. Macroaggregated albumin is metabolized by the reticuloendothelial system after clearance from capillary beds[2][3][4][5][7][8].

Brand names

PulmoliteTechnescan MAAMPI MAAPulmotech MAA

Other names

albumin aggregatedalbumin, aggregatedtechnetium tc 99m albumin aggregatedTc 99m macroaggregated albuminTc99m macroaggregated albuminTc-99m macroaggregated albuminTc 99m MAATc99m MAATc-99m MAA