[Scintigraphy in cardiomyopathy]

Abstract

The function of the right ventricle (RV) and left ventricle (LV) was evaluated in 32 patients with congestive cardiomyopathies (COCM), 10 patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HOCM) and 21 normal subjects (N). In all these patients myocardial perfusion was analysed using quantitative 201 Tl myocardial perfusion imaging. In COCM parameters of RV and LV performance were significantly reduced (p less than 0.01); regional wall motion analysis revealed a reduced radial shortening ability. Regional Tl-distribution was not different in COCM and N; however, relative Tl-uptake was significantly reduced (p less than 0.05). 80% of all patients with COCM showed the RV free wall on Tl-perfusion scintigrams. These scintigraphic aspects allow a noninvasive differentiation of a disturbed LV function and the classification of coronary and primary myocardial etiology. In patients with COCM the scintigraphically determined thickness of septum and free wall of LV was increased as compared to N (p less than 0.05). The ratio septum/lateral wall of LV averaged 1.3 +/- 0.20. Quantitative analysis of regional Tl-uptake revealed increased segmental relative Tl-uptake. In the majority of patients there was a disproportionate septal hypertrophy on the gated blood pool scan in LAO. These radionuclide techniques allow a dynamic two-dimensional evaluation of the interventricular septum and the LV.