Predicting recovery of severe regional ventricular dysfunction. Comparison of resting scintigraphy with 201Tl and 99mTc-sestamibi.

BACKGROUNDRegional 201Tl activity after resting injection, imaged early and after redistribution, reflects viable myocardium and can predict improved isotope uptake as well as regional and global ventricular function after revascularization. 99mTc-sestamibi, a perfusion tracer with favorable imaging characteristics, has distinct kinetics compared with 201Tl, demonstrating minimal redistribution; this property may give 201Tl an advantage for detecting viable myocardium, particularly in segments with resting hypoperfusion. The purpose of this study was to compare regional activities of 201Tl and 99mTc-sestamibi after resting injections in patients with coronary artery disease and regional or global left ventricular dysfunction and to assess their comparative abilities for predicting recovery of severe regional ventricular dysfunction after revascularization.METHODS AND RESULTSQualitative and quantitative comparisons of rest and redistribution 201Tl activity and sestamibi activity 1 hour after rest injection...