Technetium-99m isonitrile myocardial uptake at rest. I. Relation to severity of coronary artery stenosis

To determine the potential of planar technetium-99m methoxybutyl isonitrile myocardial imaging as a method of detecting totally occluded or severely stenosed coronary arteries, the regional distribution of technetium-99m isonitrile at rest was compared with the coronary anatomy in 38 patients with prior myocardial infarction who underwent coronary arteriography. Left ventricular technetium-99m isonitrile tracer uptake at rest was assessed in the three major coronary vascular territories. When qualitative rest technetium-99m isonitrile uptake was markedly reduced or absent (grade 0), there was a 91% probability of finding a totally occluded or severely stenosed coronary artery. When qualitative tracer uptake was reduced (grade 1) or normal (grade 2), it excluded all territories supplied by a totally occluded vessel with poor collateral flow. Quantitative technetium-99m isonitrile uptake (mean ± 1 standard deviation) in territories supplied by an occluded coronary artery with poor collateral flow (42 ± 21%) was lower than in territories supplied by a vessel with