Comparative Study on Myocardial Perfusion Scintigraphic Agents

Abstract

Myocardial perfusion imaging plays an important role in the evaluation of coronary artery diseases. As the title suggests, the central aim of this comparative study is to pinpoint the most ideal tracer for myocardial perfusion imaging from among several radiopharmaceuticals now available for routine nuclear medicine practice, namely 201Tl-Thallous Chloride, 99mTc-Sestamibi, and 99mTc-Tetrofosmin. This study attempts to present comprehensive review for each radiopharmaceutical about its chemistry and preparation, quality control, pharmacokinetics (administration, Biodistribution, mechanism of localization, and clearance routines), contraindications and radiation dosimetry. This comparative review revealed that 99mTc-Sestamibi and 99mTc-Tetrofosmin have similar characteristics and superior over 201Tl-thallous chloride with respect to sensitivity and specificity. The 99mTc-Sestamibi was found to be the most ideal radiopharmaceutical for myocardial perfusion imaging because of its long myocardial resistance time as well as adequate myocardial extraction that allow enough time to accomplish the study, providing images of higher counts density and superior quality compared with thallium-201 or tetrofosmin, optimum radiation dosimetry, availability which is very important factor that make its superior of all.