Preliminary evaluation of Tc-99m SQ 30217 SPECT imaging for the detection of coronary artery disease

The authors conducted a prospective evaluation of the ability of single photon emission computer tomography (SPECT) with Tc-99m SQ 30217 (a new radiopharmaceutical for cardiac imaging) to detect coronary artery disease, using greater than 50% stenosis at coronary arteriography as the definition of significant disease. SQ 30217 shows rapid uptake and washout from the heart, with accumulation in the liver, which interferes with inferior wall visualization on planar imaging. SPECT imaging with this agent allows adequate inferior wall visualization, but must be carefully validated because of the agent's rapid cardiac washout. The authors preliminary evaluation of 12 patients provides a sensitivity of 100% with acceptable SPECT imaging capabilities