Radiopharmaceuticals for cardiac imaging.

A number of new radiopharmaceuticals have been developed to increase the diagnostic utility of nuclear medicine in cardiac diseases. The radiochemistry and dosimetry of and clinical experience with these new agents are summarized, and are compared with more widely used methods for assessing myocardial perfusion (thallium-201 scintigraphy) and ventricular function (technetium-99m radioangiography). Emerging techniques for the evaluation of myocardial necrosis and metabolism are also presented, with emphasis on the use of radiolabeled antimyosin antibody and fatty acid analogue imaging in ischemic heart disease.