ABSTRACT
In order to compare Tc-99m-Sestamibi to T1-201 in the assessment of myocardial perfusion in the presence of coronary artery disease, 100 patients were studied with single photon emission computerized tomography [SPECT]. Segmental analysis was carried out on 77 patients who underwent cardiac angiogram. The overall sensitivity and specificity rates in patients with myocardial infarction were respectively 92.5% and 98% for MIBI, 86.6% and 95% for Tl; whereas in patients with chest pain, they were respectively 76.7% and 80% for MIBI, 69.8% and 70.5% for Tl. Tc-MIBI correctly detected 11 lesions that were normal on Tl-201, whereas the latter detected one lesion that was missed by Tc-MIBI. Concluding, we have the impression that Tc-MIBI not only correlated well with Tl-201 but also showed marginal superiority over Tl-201. Thus, Tc-MIBI is a valid alternative to Tl whenever the latter is not available