I-123 labeled hexadecenoic acid in comparison with Thallium-201 for myocardial imaging in coronary heart disease

The imaging properties of ¹²³I-16-iodo-9-hexadecenoic acid (¹²³I-HA), a terminally iodinated 17-carbon atom fatty acid analogue, were compared with Thallium-201 (²⁰¹Tl). Because of its shorter half-life, favourable photon-energy and rapid myocardial turnover rate, ¹²³I-HA possesses potential advantages in the study of regional myocardial perfusion and metabolism. Twelve patients with documented coronary artery disease (CAD) were studied; eight patients sustained an acute myocardial infarction, four patients suffered from unstable angina. Visually assessed, a similar distribution pattern and comparable imaging quality was demonstrated with both radionuclides. The scintigraphic results were also correlated with coronary arteriographic findings. A good relationship was found between the perfusion defects and the location of the coronary artery lesions in the patients with acute myocardial infarction.We conclude that ¹²³I-HA is comparable to ²⁰¹Tl in detecting areas of reduced myocardial perfusion in patients with CAD with the advantage of studying myocardial metabolism.