New method of estimating myocardial infarct size using technetium-99m pyrophosphate and thallium-201 dual single photon emission computed tomography imaging

A new method was devised to estimate infarct size using dual single photon emission computed tomography with thallium-201 and technetium-99m pyrophosp hate. Designating the ratio of infarct area to whole myocardial volume as % MI, the correlation of %MI with other markers of left ventricular dysfuncti on was examined: peak creatine kinase, ejection fraction and left ventricul ar asynergy. As %MI correlated well with these markers, it is considered th at %MI will be useful for estimating infarct size and predicting the severi ty of left ventricular dysfunction in the early stage of acute myocardial i nfarction.