Single Injection Thallium-201 Stress and Redistribution Myocardial Perfusion Imaging: Comparison with Stress Electrocardiography and Coronary Arteriography

Abstract

The efficacy of single injection Tl201 exercise stress and rest redistribution imaging in the evaluation of myocardial ischemia was compared with stress ECG and coronary arteriography. Tl201 imaging was interpreted at 2 levels of sensitivity to define when it best serves as a screening modality for coronary arteriography. With the prevalence of coronary disease usually found in patients referred for coronary arteriography (75%), unprocessed Tl201 imaging is as good as stress ECG in identifying patients apt to show coronary artery abnormalities but not much better than stress ECG in delineating patients unlikely to show coronary artery disease. Processed lesion enhanced images showing normal results virtually eliminate the possibility of significant arteriographic findings. Tl201 may avoid unnecessary coronary arteriography.