[201T1 computed tomography using dipyridamole for assessing dilated cardiomyopathy]

The value of redistribution thallium-201 (T1-20(1] emission computed tomography (ECT) using dipyridamole for evaluating coronary circulation was analyzed in 18 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). After maximal inducible coronary vasodilation (dipyridamole, 0.56 mg/kg), 2 mCi T1-201 was administered, and dipyridamole ECT data at 10 minutes and delayed ECT data at 3 hours after the injection were collected. Image interpretation was made visually. The results were as follows: In all cases, perfusion defects were observed on the dipyridamole images, and eight (45%) had redistribution on their delayed images. Patients with redistribution had better left ventricular function (% fractional shortening 24.7 +/- 7.0 versus 18.0 +/- 5.0) by two-dimensional echocardiography. Segments with redistribution showed less severe wall motion abnormalities compared with segments without redistribution. It is concluded that redistribution thallium ECT imaging using dipyridamole is a useful tool for the evaluation of coronary circulation of patients with DCM.