MYOCARDIAL PERFUSION IMAGING USING TL-201 - NEW ALGORITHM FOR CALCULATION OF BACKGROUND ACTIVITY

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 20  (12) , 1294-1300
Abstract
A method is presented for calculating a background image to be subtracted from Tl-201 [a radiopharmaceutical] myocardial perfusion images. The method was derived from experimental measurements of background components in which hearts of animals injected with Tl-201 were replaced with hearts from nonradioactive animals. The algorithm generates a background image that accounts for Tl-201 activity in surrounding tissues and within the cardiac chamber. Comparison of the computer-generated background images with background images of the experimental models showed a mean difference of .apprx. 3% (range 1-6%). Clinical images using this method of background generation and subtraction are presented. [The ability of Tl-201 to detect regions of myocardial ischemia was discussed].