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Myocardial perfusion scintigraphy

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

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Myocardial perfusion scintigraphy uses a potassium analogue, thallium-201, to demonstrate areas of poorly perfused myocardium.

The investigation consists of a standard exercise test with continuous ECG and blood pressure monitoring. At peak exercise the thallium-201 is injected intravenously.

Areas of myocardium which are well perfused take up high levels of thallium while ischaemic areas appear as scintigraphic defects in the immediate post-exercise exposures.

Repeat imaging with the gamma-camera at 2-4 hr post-exercise permits reassessment of the scintigraphic defects:

  • if the defect has resolved then the area was relatively ischaemic but still viable
  • if the defect persists then the area has infarcted

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