Technetium 99m furifosmin regional myocardial uptake in patients with previous myocardial infarction: Relation to thallium-201 activity and left ventricular function

Background. This study was designed to compare the results of rest-redistribution thallium-201 imaging with those of rest technetium 99m furifosmin single photon emission computed tomography in the same patients with chronic ischemic left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. Methods. Twenty-one patients (mean age 62 ± 9 years) with chronic myocardial infarction and LV dysfunction (mean LV ejection fraction 34% ± 8%) underwent rest-redistribution thallium imaging and resting furifosmin single photon emission computed tomography on the same day. In each patient, regional thallium and furifosmin activity was quantitatively measured in 13 myocardial segments. Regional LV function was assessed in corresponding segments by echocardiography. Results. At thallium imaging, 91 (33%) segments had normal uptake, 16 (6%) showed reversible defects, and the remaining 166 (61%) irreversible defects. Of these 166 irreversible defects, 74 (45%) had moderate (≥58% of peak activity) and 92 (55%) severe (