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Background

Previous studies show that rest-redistribution thallium imaging is useful in the assessment of myocardial viability. The impact of such studies on patient outcome is not well defined. This study examined the prognostic value of tomographic rest-redistribution 201 TI imaging in 81 medically treated patients with coronary artery disease and left ventricular dysfunction.

Methods and Results

Rest-redistribution single-photon emission computed tomographic images were obtained and analyzed quantitatively. The segmental thallium uptake (20 segments per patient) was interpreted as normal, reversible defect, mild to moderate fixed defect, or severe fixed defect. The thallium images were abnormal in 80 patients. The left ventricular ejection fraction was 27%±8% in patients with no redistribution and 26%±7% in patients with redistribution (difference not significant). In patients with no ischemia, there were 7±5 …