[Scintigraphic findings in myocardial infarct]

Abstract

Radioisotope studies are currently used mainly to assess the individual risk before and after myocardial infarction. Scintigraphy will be used increasingly to diagnose and localize acute myocardial infarction, to measure the infarct size and to detect reperfusion, whether spontaneous or after lysis, in the infarct area. High sensitivity and specificity are obtained by using tomographic imaging modalities and by the combined and simultaneous use of markers for perfusion and necrosis. This technique allows recognition even of nontransmural infarctions, involvement of the right ventricle, subendocardial necroses, and ischemic injuries in unstable angina pectoris.