Beta-methyl-15-P-[123I] iodophenyl-pentadecanoic acid and thallium-201 in the assessment of myocardial perfusion defects

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the ability of beta-methyl-15-P-123I]-iodophenyl-pentadecanoic acid (beta 123IPPA) and thallium-201 to assess the ischemic risk zone associated with myocardial infarction. The hearts of mongrel dogs were infarcted by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery and at 6 h post infarction injected with thallium-201 (2 mCi; scanning time 30 mins) followed by beta 123IPPA (3 to 5 mCi; scanning time 30 mins). Scintigraphic assessment of the perfusion defect yielded perfusion defect size (percentage of whole slice), which was then compared to the defect when assessed by tetrazolium staining. Myocardial ratios were calculated to assess differences in localization between tracers. Any differences noted may affect identification of the area at risk following acute myocardial infarction. A slice-by-slice comparison of perfusion defect size for scintigraphic methods and histochemical method showed no significant difference between beta 123IPPA and thallium-201. The mean ratio for myocardial defect size expressed as beta 123IPPA/thallium-201 was 1.03 +/- 1.29. Enzymatic analysis demonstrated significant increases in creatine kinase (160.33 +/- 46.44 to 5030.6 +/- 2238 U) and creatine kinase-MB% (31.85 +/- 15.11 to 82.99 +/- 8.14%) post infarction (P less than 0.05 in both cases). Elevated ST segments were also seen in all dogs post infarction. It can be concluded that the combined use of beta 123IPPA and thallium-201 does not allow the identification of the ischemic risk zone (percentage area at risk) often associated with myocardial perfusion defects. Problems continue to exist with image resolution and border demarcation.