STUDY OF MYOCARDIAL BLOOD-SUPPLY IN PATIE NTS WITH CHRONIC-ALCOHOLISMBY TL-201 MYOCARDIAL SCINTIGRAPHY

To study myocardial perfusion, Tl-201 mycocardial scintigraphy was use d to examine 25 patients with chronic alcoholism and alcoholic damage to the heart. Tl-201 myocardial scintigraphy was performed at rest and repeatedly 3-7 days later by using the bicycle ergometer exercise tes t. The total Tl-201 uptake at rest was 2.3+0.2%. The restingscintigram s of the patients showed a profound irregularity Tl-201 distribution a nd a diffuse decrease in its washout. The increment of Tl-201 uptake i n response to exercise was 20.6%. Exercise scintigrams displayed stead y perfusion defects mainly of anterosetral site. There was an improvem ent of tracer washout in the exercise test as compared at rest. Thus, Tl-201 myocardial scintigraphy allows perfusion disturbances to be det ected in patients with alcoholic damage to the heart. Myocardial scint igraphy performed at the peak of exercise records a decreased incremen t of Tl-201 extraction, suggesting a lower perfusion reserve in patien ts with alcoholic heart damage.