Technetium-99m(Sn2+)Pyrophosphate in Ischemic and Infarcted Dog Myocardium in Early Stages of Acute Coronary Occlusion: Histochemical and Tissue-Counting Comparisons

We have investigated the pattern of accumulation of Tc-99m(Sn2+)pyrophosphate (Tc-99m PPi) in myocardial tissue of dogs during the early stages of acute occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Three groups were studied after: (a) 40 min occlusion followed by 6 hr reperfusion (n = 6); (b) 6 hr occlusion followed by one hour reperfusion (n = 5); and (c) 7 hr occlusion with no reperfusion (n = 4). Areas of myocardial infarction were defined with triphenyl-tetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining, and blood flow was determined with 9-mu radioactive microspheres. In Group C uptake in infarcted and peri-infarct areas was not enhanced, most likely owing to low flow. In Group B, with late reperfusion, Tc-99m PPi sequestration was increased in both infarcted and peri-infarcted tissues. In Group A, areas ischemic during occlusion but with normal flow and viability by TTC after 6 hr of reperfusion showed significant uptake of Tc-99m PPi (twice the uptake of nonischemic regions).