Computer-aided semi-quantitative myocardial scintiscanning using 201-Tl in routine examinations to diagnose coronary heart disease

Thallium-201 is generally used for intravenous myocardial scintiscanning. In the 42 patients investigated during the study, the sensitivity of this method in the diagnosis of reduced myocardial perfusion was judged to be superior to that of exercise electrocardiography. The most reliable conclusions could, however, be drawn from the combined results of both these non-invasive techniques. Coronary angiography was carried out for reasons of comparison and proved that the method under investigation, even though showing an extremely high sensitivity, was less satisfactory as regards specifity. Myocardial scintiscanning using thallium-201 constitutes the only non-invasive technique suitable for the evaluation of cardial microcirculation. It must therefore be regarded as an ideal diagnostic tool to be used in combination with coronary angiography which, in turn, provides evidence of macroscopic changes. Moreover, myocardial scintiscanning using thallium-201 still remains the only procedure permitting acute myocardial infarction to be detected within the first few hours following the incident. (TRV)