Myocardial perfusion scintigraphy with thallium-201 for prediction of graft patency early after internal mammary artery graft surgery

Myocardial perfusion scintigraphy with thallium-201 was performed in fifty-four patients after internal mammary artery (IMA) graft to the left descending coronary artery to determine the influence of the flow rate in the IMA on myocardial perfusion after the procedure. The flow rate in the IMA was 40 to 200 ml/minute (mean 103 +/- 26.6 ml/min). Myocardial perfusion after IMA surgery was good in 44 patients (82%). There was a correlation between IMA flow rate and surgical results. Only 53% of patients with IMA flow rates below 100 ml/min to atmosphere showed good myocardial perfusion.