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Clinical experience with technetium-99m teboroxime, a neutral, lipophilic myocardial perfusion imaging agent.

Technetium-99m (Tc-99m) teboroxime is a new technetium-based myocardial perfusion imaging agent (investigational code = SQ30217 [Cardiotec, Squibb Diagnostics]). A member of a class of neutral, lipophilic, technetium-containing complexes known as boronic acid adducts of technetium dioxime (BATO) complexes, this agent is chemically very different from the cationic tracer thallium-201 (Tl-201) and from the cationic technetium complex Tc-99m sestamibi (Cardiolite, Du Pont Imaging Agents). Tc-99m teboroxime has high myocardial extraction, rapid blood clearance, little lung uptake and rapid myocardial washout. A biexponential pattern of myocardial washout is demonstrated in animals and in man. Effective half-lives of the 2 washout components in man are 5.2 minutes and 3.8 hours and represent approximately 66 and 33% of the myocardial activity, respectively. The first half-life for the myocardium is approximately 11 minutes. As the agent washes out of the heart, hepatic uptake occurs, peaking at about 5 minutes after injection. The liver is the major organ of excretion and receives, along with the large bowel, the largest radiation dose. Rapid imaging protocols using standard cameras have achieved good myocardial counts from 3 planar views acquired over a 4- to 5-minute period or for single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) images acquired over a 10-minute period. An entire stress/rest procedure can be completed in 1 hour. Analysis of data from 155 patients from 4 centers using planar or SPECT imaging showed a sensitivity and specificity for blinded readings of 82 and 91%, respectively, when compared against overall clinical impression.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Coronary Disease↗

The relationship between myocardial retention of technetium-99m teboroxime and myocardial blood flow.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to define the temporal changes in the relationship between technetium-99m teboroxime tissue retention and myocardial blood flow in a canine model. BACKGROUND: Technetium-99m teboroxime is a new neutral lipophilic myocardial perfusion agent. It is known to be highly extracted by the myocardium but to have a rapid clearance rate. METHODS: A wide range of myocardial blood flow was induced in each experiment by regional coronary occlusion and dipyridamole infusion. Myocardial retention of technetium-99m teboroxime was determined by in vitro tissue counting at 1, 2 or 5 min after injection of the tracer. Tracer retention was correlated with microsphere-determined blood flow and the data were fitted to nonlinear functions. RESULTS: Correlation coefficients for these functions were 0.92, 0.95 and 0.95 at 1, 2, and 5 min, respectively. At 1 min after injection, the relationship of technetium-99m teboroxime retention to blood flow was linear over a wide flow range, becoming nonlinear at flow rates greater than 4.5 ml/min per g. After 5 min the retention-flow relationship was linear only to 2.5 ml/min per g, above which little change in retention was noted. Normalized myocardial retention, expressed as a percent of the retention at 1 ml/min per g, was also calculated. At flow rates of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 ml/min per g, normalized retention was 100, 169, 228, 277 and 317% at 1 min and 100, 171, 217, 239 and 237% at 5 min after injection. CONCLUSIONS: At 1 min after injection, the relationship of technetium-99m teboroxime myocardial retention to blood flow is well maintained over a wide range of flow. However, after only 5 min, tracer retention underestimates flow changes at moderate and high flow rates. Thus, rapid acquisition protocols are necessary to fully exploit the potential of this promising new tracer in the evaluation of myocardial perfusion.

Animals↗

[Diagnosis of venous thrombosis. Evaluation of immunoscintigraphy with 99M technetium labelled antifibrin].

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the interpretation, reliability and usefulness of 99m technetium labelled antifibrin immunoscintigraphy for the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis in the lower limbs. METHODS: The diagnostic value of 99m technetium labelled antifibrin immunoscintigraphy was assessed in 44 patients with suspected venous thrombosis. The reference examination was bilateral ascending phlebography; 40 patients had doppler ultrasonography of the veins; 0.5 mg of antibody labelled by 17.5 mCi on average of 99m technetium were injected intravenously, and serial scintigraphic images were collected 1 min, 90 min and 18 hours after injection. RESULTS: The best results were obtained by comparison between the 90 min and the immediate post-injection images, with 86 percent sensitivity, 73 percent specificity and 81 percent accuracy. Heparin therapy and past history of phlebitis had no influence on the results. The doppler ultrasonography/immunoscintigraphy combination had a 100 percent specificity. 99m Technetium labelled antifibrin immunoscintigraphy had about the same diagnostic value as 111 indium labelled antifibrin immunoscintigraphy. CONCLUSION: The introduction of 99m technetium as isotopic marker will make immunoscintigraphy easier and available in numerous nuclear medicine centres. Antifibrin immunoscintigraphy can be an additional diagnostic tool for the difficult diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis.

Adult↗

Technetium-94m-teboroxime: synthesis, dosimetry and initial PET imaging studies.

Technetium-94m (T1/2 = 53 min) allows the in vivo study of technetium radiopharmaceuticals with positron emission tomography (PET). PET provides a quantitative assay of radioactivity with excellent temporal and spatial resolution, revealing biodistributions that were previously available only through in vitro assay methods. Technetium-94m, produced by the proton irradiation of natural molybdenum on an 11 MeV cyclotron, was extracted with an electrochemical etching technique. Technetium-94m-pertechnetate was prepared to make the myocardial perfusion agent teboroxime in an identical manner as 99mTcO4-. The increased absorbed radiation dose requires a sevenfold reduction in administered activity compared to 99mTc-teboroxime. Eleven clinical PET studies were performed and visually compared to 13N-ammonia. The clearance half-time for 94mTc-teboroxime was approximately 8 min, with a peak myocardial extraction of approximately 3% of the injected dose into a 400-g heart. These results confirm the potential of 94mTc PET for quantitatively studying the pharmacokinetics of new, and old, technetium agents in man.

Adult↗

Scintigraphic assessment of bowel involvement and disease activity in Crohn's disease using technetium 99m-hexamethyl propylene amine oxine as leukocyte label.

Using a novel labeling technique with technetium 99m-hexamethyl propylene amine oxine, we studied 29 patients with known or suspected Crohn's disease. Technetium 99m-hexamethyl propylene amine oxine leukocyte scanning (99mTc scan) was prospectively compared with the results of independently performed radiologic, endoscopic, and histologic examinations, and with findings at surgery, to assess the clinical usefulness of this technique to localize inflammatory lesions. In addition, uptake of technetium 99m-hexamethyl propylene amine oxine in the bowel was graded by comparing it with the uptake in liver and bone marrow and correlating this with established parameters of disease activity. The viability of homologous labeled leukocytes was greater than 95%. Less than 5% of lymphocytes were found in the final preparation. It was found that 45% +/- 12% of the label was bound to granulocytes, and 98% of the unbound label was washed off before reinjection. The results of 99mTc scan revealed a good correlation with those of barium enema (r = 0.880, p less than 0.001), of endoscopy/surgery (r = 0.983, p less than 0.001), and of all combined reference methods (r = 0.981, p less than 0.001). Activity as determined by 99mTc scan was weakly correlated with the results of Crohn's disease activity index (r = 0.559, p less than 0.01), van Hees index (r = 0.606, p less than 0.01), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (r = 0.456, p less than 0.05) in 24 patients with proven Crohn's disease. The correlation was improved when the 99mTc scan was compared with a combination of these activity parameters and C-reactive protein (r = 0.781, p less than 0.001). Extraintestinal manifestations (joints) and complications (cholecystitis) were also identified correctly by the 99mTc scan. The study demonstrates that leukocyte scanning with technetium 99m-hexamethyl propylene amine oxine as a label can reliably assess the location and, to a lesser degree, activity of Crohn's disease. This technique is more convenient and provides images far superior to those produced by indium 111-labeled leukocyte scanning.

Adolescent↗

Recognition of reversible and irreversible myocardial injury by technetium pyrophosphate extraction kinetics.

The need for a more accurate method of detecting episodes of myocardial ischemia during cardiac operations, particularly during the ischemic arrest interval, prompted us to investigate the usefulness of measuring the active extraction of technetium pyrophosphate in identifying and quantitating ischemic injury. Twenty-four adult mongrel dogs were subjected to cardiopulmonary bypass, and normothermic global ischemia was induced by cross-clamping the proximal aorta. Technetium pyrophosphate (1 mCi) was injected through a standard cardioplegia line with normal saline, simulating administration of cardioplegic solution, upon placement of the aortic cross-clamp (time 0), at 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes of global ischemia, and with the onset and completion of ischemic contracture. Radioactive counts were recorded over the heart at 1 second intervals, and the extraction fraction and half-time of clearance were calculated. The extraction fraction increased from 0.22 at time 0 to 0.58 at 15 minutes, 0.82 at 30 minutes, 0.85 at 45 minutes, and 0.91 at 60 minutes. The halftime increased from a baseline of 114 seconds (time 0) to a maximum of 321 seconds at 60 minutes of ischemia. The onset and completion of ischemic contracture showed a return toward baseline of both the extraction fraction and halftime of clearance, with an extraction fraction of 0.44 and 0.46 and a halftime of 135 and 133 seconds, respectively. These data clearly show that reversible myocardial injury increased the extraction and reduced the clearance of technetium pyrophosphate and that the magnitude of change related to the extent of injury. The progression to irreversible myocardial injury decreased the active extraction of technetium pyrophosphate. This simple procedure for real-time documentation of myocardial injury promises to provide easily obtainable endpoints of injury for use during cardiac operations in humans.

Animals↗

Evaluation of five miniature chromatography systems for determining labeling efficiency of technetium Tc 99m pentetate.

The reliability and reproducibility of five miniature chromatography systems for the radiochemical purity of 99mTc-labeled technetium Tc 99m pentetate was evaluated. Radiochemical purity of technetium Tc 99m pentetate was determined 15-30 minutes after preparation once a month for nine consecutive months. A reference value was determined by gel filtration or by conventional-length paper chromatography and thin-layer chromatography. Radiochemical purity was determined simultaneously by five miniature chromatography systems. The miniature systems included an in-house system and commercial systems distributed by Ackerman Nuclear, Ashley Innovations, Atomic Products, and Technical Advancement. Each miniature system was tested in duplicate. A follow-up comparison of the Ackerman Nuclear and in-house systems was performed for an additional nine months. Labeling efficiency by the reference method was greater than 97% for all nine months. The miniature systems gave results that were comparable in most months. Very low labeling efficiency occurred with the Ackerman Nuclear system in month 9. The follow-up comparison produced only one unconfirmed result for the Ackerman Nuclear system that would have caused a laboratory to erroneously discard a batch of technetium Tc 99m pentetate. The miniature chromatography systems evaluated generally will give reliable and reproducible results for the radiochemical purity of technetium Tc 99m pentetate for nine months after receipt of the systems.

Chromatography↗

The ectopic parathyroid adenoma: a cost justification for routine preoperative localization with technetium Tc 99m sestamibi scan.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the cumulative costs of failure to identify the ectopic parathyroid adenoma when exploration without preoperative localization is performed and to compare these costs with the expenses of routine preoperative localization in every patient. DESIGN: A consecutive series of 59 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism studied with preoperative scans using technetium Tc 99m sestamibi and ultrasound was submitted to a cost analysis. A subset of 5 cases of ectopic adenomas, presumed to be unidentifiable on routine surgery, was similarly analyzed. SETTING: Academic tertiary referral center. METHODS: The operative, anesthesia, hospitalization, imaging, and physician reimbursement costs of a failed exploration are compared with the costs of preoperative technetium Tc 99m sestamibi and ultrasound scans in every patient. RESULTS: Two cases of mediastinal parathyroid adenomas in this consecutive series of 59 patients were given a theoretical cost, including hospitalization, physician reimbursement, and anesthesia fees. These costs were based on a failed cervical exploration and extracted from the record of an actual patient who underwent such a process at the University of Vermont, Burlington, in 1995. In addition, the records of 2 patients with intrathyroidal adenomas were submitted to the same theoretical cost analysis with the exception that these patients were assumed to have adenomas that could be discovered after prolonged cervical exploration and thyroid lobectomy. The net management and imaging costs for 4 cases of ectopic parathyroid adenomas undergoing theoretical failed exploration are compared with the cost of obtaining routine technetium Tc 99m sestamibi and ultrasound scans for each of the 59 patients. CONCLUSION: The added cost of protracted or failed cervical exploration nearly neutralized the costs of a routine preoperative localization with technetium Tc 99m sestamibi and ultrasound scans.

Adenoma↗

Preoperative technetium Tc 99m sestamibi SPECT imaging in the management of primary hyperparathyroidism in patients with concomitant multinodular goiter.

HYPOTHESIS: Preoperative parathyroid and thyroid imaging using technetium Tc 99m sestamibi scintigraphy-single-photon emission computed tomography (Tc 99m MIBI SPECT) and technetium Tc 99m sodium pertechnetate, respectively, in patients with parathyroid adenomas and concomitant multinodular goiters enables the selection of those suitable for minimally invasive radio-guided surgery. DESIGN: One hundred thirty patients with primary hyperparathyroidism were treated surgically during a 30-month period. Forty-one of these 130 patients had an associated multinodular goiter. All patients underwent planar and SPECT parathyroid scintigraphy using Tc 99m MIBI, and thyroid scintigraphy with technetium Tc 99m pertechnetate 2 to 5 days before surgery. On the morning of surgery each patient was reinjected with Tc 99m MIBI for intraoperative localization and validation. Minimally invasive radio-guided parathyroidectomy was performed using a handheld gamma-detection device with a thyroid probe. Removed glands were submitted for histopathologic examination for comparison with the scintigraphic results. Quantitative analysis of parathyroid activity was performed. RESULTS: Minimally invasive, radioguided parathyroidectomy was successfully performed in 21 (51%) of 41 patients who had a concomitant multinodular goiter. The remaining 20 patients underwent standard neck exploratory surgery because of associated thyroid disease; 5 of them had malignant thyroid disease. Among the 41 patients planar scintigraphy correctly identified 28 adenomas (68%). Single-photon emission computed tomographic imaging identified an additional 11 adenomas for a sensitivity of 95% and a specificity of 100%. Moreover, SPECT imaging correctly identified malignant thyroid nodules in 4 of 5 patients. Technetium Tc 99m MIBI retention was noted in only 25 adenomas (61%) while the remaining adenomas demonstrated a rapid washout. The average uptake ratio of parathyroid counts to maximum thyroid activity was significantly correlated with parathyroid hormone levels before surgery (P = .04). CONCLUSIONS: Our data encourage the use of preoperative SPECT imaging of parathyroid adenomas in patients who have multinodular goiters to select those suitable for minimally invasive radioguided surgery. This technique also offers important information regarding thyroid nodules that are suspicious for malignancy. The intraoperative gamma-probe technique enables the surgeon to focus his or her search, provides instant feedback regarding the progress of the operation, reduces surgical trauma and complications, and yields better cosmetic results. Patients with higher presurgical parathyroid hormone levels may especially benefit from radioguided surgery.

Adult↗

Sentinel lymph nodes with technetium-99m colloidal rhenium sulfide in patients with esophageal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The authors assessed the detection of sentinel lymph nodes in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) using technetium-99m colloidal rhenium sulfide. They studied whether an analysis of sentinel lymph nodes using cytokeratin (CK) immunohistochemistry increased the accuracy of staging. METHODS: The authors observed 25 patients with thoracic esophageal carcinomas who underwent radical esophagectomy. The day before surgery, technetium-99m colloidal rhenium sulfide was injected into the submucosa at four sites around the primary tumor. Lymphoscintigraphy was performed. Esophagectomy and regional lymph node dissection were performed 17 hours after the technetium-99m injection. After surgery, the resected lymph nodes were evaluated by CK staining. RESULTS: Lymphoscintigraphy detected sentinel lymph nodes in 92% of the patients (23 of 25 patients). The accuracy of sentinel lymph node was 91.3% (21 of 23 patients), the sensitivity was 86.7% (13 of 15 patients), and the false-negative rate was 8.7% (2 of 23 patients). A comparison of the number of sentinel lymph nodes and clinicopathologic factors showed that there was a significant association between the number of sentinel lymph nodes and lymph node status (P < 0.01), pathologic stage (P < 0.05), and the number of metastatic lymph nodes (P < 0.05). Occult metastasis was detected by CK staining in 14 (56%) of the 25 patients and in 23 (1.7%) of 1406 lymph nodes. Because the 2 false-negative (sentinel lymph node-negative and nonsentinel lymph node-positive) patients who had occult metastases in the sentinel lymph nodes, the accuracy of sentinel lymph node evaluation using CK staining was 100% (23 of 23). CONCLUSIONS: Lymphatic mapping with technetium-99m colloidal rhenium sulfide was used to identify the lymphatic basin and was feasible in patients with esophageal SCC. An analysis of sentinel lymph nodes using CK immunohistochemistry increased the accuracy of sentinel lymph node.

Aged↗

Development of technetium-99m-based CNS receptor ligands: have there been any advances?

By virtue of its ideal nuclear physical characteristics for routine nuclear medicine diagnostics and its ready availability, technetium-99m is of outstanding interest in the development of novel radiopharmaceuticals. The potential for the development of 99mTc-based radioligands for the study the receptor function in the central nervous system (CNS) is also well recognised despite the difficulties to be overcome. A fundamental challenge is the pharmacologically acceptable integration of the transition metal technetium, with its specific coordination chemistry, into the molecular entity of CNS receptor ligands. Conceptually, the ligand molecule can be assembled by three building blocks: a small neutral chelate unit, an organic linker that may also serve as a pharmacological modifier and a receptor-binding region derived from selective receptor antagonists. The recent introduction of novel technetium chelate units, particularly mixed-ligand complexes and low-valency organometallic compounds of technetium, provides an impetus for the further development of CNS receptor ligands. Moreover, progress in receptor pharmacology and the experience gained with positron emission tomography radiotracers have facilitated the design of numerous 99mTc-based CNS receptor ligands. The formidable challenge of developing 99mTc probes as single-photon emission tomography imaging agents targeting CNS receptors can be viewed with optimism given the successful development of [99mTc]TRODAT-1 as a 99mTc complex for imaging dopamine transporters in the brain, although there are a number of receptor-specific imaging agents that have so far resisted all efforts to develop them. This review presents recent advances and discusses the remaining hurdles in the design of 99mTc-based CNS receptor imaging agents.

Blood-Brain Barrier↗

Technetium-99m-sestamibi/pertechnetate subtraction scintigraphy vs ultrasonography for preoperative localization in primary hyperparathyroidism.

A prospective study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of technetium-99m-sestamibi and technetium-99m-pertechnetate subtraction scanning and US for imaging parathyroid glands in primary hyperparathyroidism. Sixty-three patients were surgically treated for primary hyperparathyroidism (HPT). Preoperative scintigraphy and US were performed in all cases. Bilateral neck exploration was carried out on each patient. Results of radionuclide studies and US were compared with surgical and histological findings. In 57 patients with primary HPT the radionuclide scanning gave true-positive results. Four false-negative and two false-positive scintigrams were obtained. The sensitivity and the positive predictive value (PPV) of scintigraphy were 93 and 97%, respectively. Forty-one cases were correctly localized by the US. Seventeen US results were false negative and five were false positive. The sensitivity and the PPV for US were 71 and 89%, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between the sensitivity of the scintigraphy compared with the US ( p=0.001). Sensitivities of radionuclide scans and US were higher for adenomas (100 and 83%) than for hyperplastic glands (75 and 40%). The sensitivity of technetium-99m-sestamibi and technetium-99m-pertechnetate subtraction scintigraphy was significantly higher compared with US. This sensitive method could help surgeons in performing a rapid and directed parathyroidectomy.

Adenoma↗

Early quantification of experimental myocardial infarction with technetium-99m glucoheptonate: scintigraphic and anatomic studies.

Recent advances in understanding of the pathophysiology of myocardial necrosis indicate the need for a noninvasive method that will allow detection and quantification of infarcts in the first few hours after the onset of infarction. Myocardial infarct scintigraphy using technetium-99m glucoheptonate is capable of detecting infarction in dogs and man within 4 to 6 hours of onset. Studies were performed in 45 dogs with acute myocardial infarction: 28 with with an anterior infarct, 5 with an inferior infarct, 6 with an anterior infarct studied after infusion of mannitol and 6 with ligation of the left anterior descending coronary coronary artery and reperfusion of the ischemic area. The dogs were given 20 m Ci of technetium-99m glucoheptonate 1 hour after coronary occlusion, subjected to imaging 5 to 9 hours later and then killed. The experiments revealed that (1) scintigraphic infarct size correlated with infarct weight for anterior (r = 0.85) and inferior (r = 0.88) infarcts; (2) technetium-99m glucoheptonate also concentrated in a rim of myocardium around the infarct that probably represented the ischemic zone; and (3) technetium-99m glucoheptonate uptake by infarcted myocardium could be greatly increased with mannitol and reperfusion.

Animals↗

Nuclide imaging of vascular graft-platelet interactions: comparison of indium excess and technetium subtraction techniques.

Indium-111-labeled platelet adherence to ePTFE thoracoabdominal vascular prostheses in a canine model (n = 10) was quantitated by (1) an indium-111 excess technique, contrasting graft radioactivity to that in a reference region, and (2) a technetium-99m subtraction technique, with radioactivity of circulating platelets eliminated by discounting background blood activity. Variation in graft thrombogenicity was provided by seeding six prostheses with enzymatically derived autologous endothelial cells, and implanting four prostheses without seeding. Grafts were imaged at 1, 4, and 6 weeks postimplantation, with platelet labeling using indium-111-oxine and red blood cell labeling using technetium-99m. At 7 weeks grafts were excised and gamma activity was measured in proximal, middle, and distal segments. Luminal generation of TxB2 and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha from midportions of grafts was assayed. Indium-111 excess ratios at 6 weeks correlated with actual gamma activity of excised grafts (proximal r = 0.80, P less than 0.01; middle r = 0.73, P less than 0.05; distal r = 0.48, ns) but such a correlation did not exist for the technetium-99m subtraction technique (r = -0.05, -0.25, and 0.16, in the three segments, respectively, all ns). The ratio of graft to aortic TxB2 production revealed a positive correlation with graft gamma activity (r = 0.87, P less than 0.01), and the ratio of graft 6-keto-PGF1 alpha to TxB2 production also correlated with gamma counts (r = -0.64, P = 0.05). In this experimental setting technetium-99m subtraction analysis was an imprecise method of detecting graft platelet accumulation, whereas indium-111 excess ratios proved to be a more accurate method of quantitating vascular prosthetic thrombogenicity.

Animals↗

Sources and behavior of technetium in the environment.

Technetium is a man-made element produced in increasing amounts during the last decades. The chemical and physical properties of some technetium compounds are considered, and a discussion of possible source terms is included. Literature on the environmental behavior of technetium is reviewed to evaluate its transfer and equilibrium distribution in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Considerable effort has been expended in the last years in order to understand the biogeochemical processes responsible for the long-term behavior of technetium in the environment and its transfer through food chains as well as to identify critical pathways of the long-lived radioisotope Tc-99 from the environment to man.

Environmental Pollution↗

Serial quantitative planar technetium-99m isonitrile imaging in acute myocardial infarction: efficacy for noninvasive assessment of thrombolytic therapy.

Technetium-99m isonitrile is a new myocardial perfusion imaging agent that accumulates according to the distribution of myocardial blood flow. However, unlike thallium-201, it does not redistribute over time. This imaging agent was used with serial quantitative planar imaging to assess the initial risk area of infarction, its change over time and the relation to infarct-related artery patency in 30 patients with a first acute myocardial infarction. Twenty-three of 30 patients were treated with recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA) within 4 h after the onset of chest pain. Seven patients were treated in the conventional manner without thrombolytic therapy. Technetium-99m isonitrile was injected before or at the initiation of thrombolytic therapy, and imaging was performed several hours later. These initial images demonstrated the area at risk. Repeat imaging was performed 18 to 48 h later and at 6 to 14 days after the onset of myocardial infarction to visualize the ultimate extent of infarction. The initial area at risk varied greatly (range defect integral 2 to 61) both in patients treated with rt-PA and in those who received conventional treatment. For the total group, the initial imaging defect decreased in size in 20 patients and was unchanged or larger in 10 patients. Patients with a patent infarct-related artery had a significantly greater decrease in defect size than did patients with persistent coronary occlusion (-51 +/- 38% versus -1 +/- 26%, p = 0.0001). All patients with a decrease in defect size greater than 30% had a patent infarct-related artery. In 12 patients who also had predischarge quantitative exercise thallium-201 imaging, good agreement existed between the extent and severity of myocardial perfusion defect on the last technetium-99m isonitrile study before discharge and that noted on delayed thallium-201 imaging. It is concluded that serial planar technetium-99m isonitrile myocardial imaging in patients with acute myocardial infarction undergoing thrombolytic therapy offers a new quantitative noninvasive approach for assessment of the initial risk zone as well as the success of reperfusion.

Contrast Media↗

Combined assessment of myocardial perfusion and left ventricular function with exercise technetium-99m sestamibi gated single-photon emission computed tomography can differentiate between ischemic and nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether exercise technetium-99m sestamibi gated single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) accurately distinguishes between patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy and patients with nonischemic left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Noninvasive tests have previously failed to accurately separate patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy from those with nonischemic cardiomyopathy. Technetium-99m gated SPECT imaging offers advantages that have the potential to overcome the limitations of previous studies. Thirty-seven adults with a left ventricular ejection fraction < or = 35%, including 24 patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy and 13 patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy, were prospectively evaluated using symptom-limited metabolic exercise treadmill testing with technetium-99m sestamibi gated SPECT imaging. Interpretation of myocardial perfusion and regional wall motion was performed, using a 17-segment model. Summed stress, rest, and reversibility perfusion defect scores were determined, and the variance of segmental wall motion scores was computed. Summed stress, rest, and reversibility perfusion defect scores were significantly lower in nonischemic cardiomyopathy patients, compared with those with ischemic cardiomyopathy (summed stress defect score: 6.9 +/- 3.8 vs 32.9 +/- 7.7, respectively, p <0.001). Variability in segmental wall motion was also significantly lower in patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy compared with those with ischemic cardiomyopathy (variance: 0.3 +/- 0.3 vs 1.2 +/- 0.8, respectively, p <0.001). Thus, assessment of myocardial perfusion and regional ventricular function with exercise technetium-99m sestamibi gated SPECT imaging can reliably distinguish between patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy and patients with nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy.

Adult↗

Limited value of technetium 99m-labeled red cell scintigraphy in localization of lower gastrointestinal bleeding.

The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of technetium 99m-labeled red cell scintigraphy in localizing the site of lower gastrointestinal bleeding. The outcome of 203 patients undergoing technetium 99m-labeled red cell scintigraphy was reviewed, and the scan result was compared with the true site of bleeding. The true site of bleeding was determined by other methods including angiography and surgical pathology. Fifty-two scans (26%) were positive and indicated a specific site of bleeding. A definitive bleeding site was identified in 22 patients by other means and correlated with the technetium scan in only 9 cases. The nuclear scan was incorrect in the remaining 13 cases, implying a localization error of 25% (13 of 52). A subgroup of 19 patients with a positive scan underwent a surgical procedure directed by the nuclear scan. Eight of these 12 patients had incorrect surgical procedures based upon findings of more definitive tests, indicating a surgical error of 42% (8 of 19). We conclude that the technetium 99m-labeled red cell scan's ability to accurately localize the site of lower gastrointestinal bleeding is limited. Furthermore, performing a surgical procedure that relies exclusively on localization by red cell scintigraphy will produce an undesirable result in at least 42% of patients.

Aged↗