[Myocardial perfusion during exercise and rest in coronary patients. Evaluation with a thallium 201 analog...

Isonitrile-technetium, a Thallium 201 analog, was used for myocardial perfusion imaging in 12 patients with known coronary heart disease. 10-40 mCu of the isotope were injected at maximal effort during a Bruce stress test. Imaging was performed using 3 projections immediately after exercise and 24 hr later, using a gamma camera attached to a computer. Myocardial necrosis was detected with a sensitivity of 89% and specificity of 63%. Corresponding figures for stress induced ischemia were 89% and 100%. Accurate localization of ischemia or necrosis was obtained in 70% of all cases, improving to 100% in cases of total artery occlusion. These results, similar to those reported in the literature, encourage the use of Tc labeled isonitrile for myocardial perfusion imaging whenever Thallium 201 is difficult to obtain.