Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance and Thallium Scintigraphy in the Detection of Mycardial Viability
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to prospectively compare contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging with single-photon emission tomography using 201Thallium chloride (SPECT T1) in the detection of myocardial viability. Patients with chronic coronary artery disease and systolic dysfunction defined by an ejection fraction (EF) under 45 % were included.
CE-MRI was performed 10-15 minutes after the administration of a gadolinium-based contrast agent using an Inversion Recovery Turbo FLASH (fast low-angle shot) sequence. A 4-hour rest redistribution protocol was used for SPECT T1.
Radionuclide ventriculography was used for the assessment of EF. Forty patients with an EF of 33.1 +- 7.7 % were included.
Thirty-two underwent a follow-up examination after revascularization. Comparison of viability assessment was performed in 1360 segments.
Agreement was noted in 1065 segments, resulting in a kappa value of 0.336.