TITLE: Prognostic Value of Rest 201Tl-Dipyridamole Stress 99mTc-Sestamibi Gated SPECT for Predicting Patient-Based Clinical Outcomes After Bypass Surgery in Patients with Ischemic Left Ventricular Dysfunction

REF: Journal of Nuclear Medicine Vol. 44 No. 11 1735-1740

PATIENTS: 123 with ischemic heart disease and left ventricular function, studied both pre- and post-operatively

FINDINGS: Dual isotope myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) was performed. resting thallium uptake and the reversibility score were the most important predictors of functional improvement after bypass surgery. Functional improvement was defined as a LVEF improvement of 5% or more, or a decrease in the end systolic volume of 10 ml or more. The 24 hour delayed thallium score was not significantly associated with clinical outcomes.

CONCLUSION: Dual isotope MPI is helpful in predicting who will benefit from bypass surgery.

COMMENT: proper preoperative planning prior to bypass surgery often includes the performance of the MPI scan.