SPACE-TIME QUANTITATION OF TL-201 MYOCARDIAL SCINTIGRAPHY

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 22  (4) , 309-317
Abstract
A comprehensive method is described for quantitation of the spatial distribution of 201Tl in the myocardium and its changes with time. The method, applied here to 51 patients, uses bilinear interpolative background substraction to compensate for tissue crosstalk, and circumferential profiles to quantitate the relative radionuclide activity in the myocardium as an angular function with origin at the center of the left-ventricular cavity. Washout circumferential profiles are calculated as percent washout from the stress circumferential profiles. Abnormal Tl distribution or washout is identified by automatic computer comparison of each patient''s profiles with the corresponding limits of normal profiles, determined from the pooled profiles of 31 normal patients. In these 31, the computer ouput was normal in all cases. In 20 patients with angiographically documented coronary artery disease, 19 were determined to be abnormal by this method. This new computerized treatment provides accurate objective assessment of the presence of coronary artery disease.