[Redistribution of 201 Tl after myocardial scintigraphy with dipyridamole: value in the detection of coronary stenosis and ventricular kinetic anomalies].

One hundred and eight-four patients suspected of having coronary artery disease underwent coronary and left ventricular angiography and Tl 201 myocardial scintigraphy with dipyridamole including images of redistribution after 3-4 hours. The results of scintigraphy were assessed visually in all cases and by quantitative analysis in 91 patients. Comparison of early (DIP) and late (REDIS) images showed three types of response: 1) no hypofixation on either (10 patients), 2) a constant defect (59 patients), 3) a reversible defect (115 patients, including 21 cases of "paradoxical" redistribution). The value of the redistribution images was assessed in the diagnosis of coronary stenosis and in the evaluation of ventricular wall function in post-stenotic zones. The following results were obtained: Visual analysis of the DIP scintigraphy alone gave 17 false positive and 8 false negative results (sens: 95%, spec: 41%). The false negative results were all observed in patients at high risk. The DIP/REDIS scintigraphy (considered normal if both images were normal) gave 20 false positive but only 1 false negative result (sens: 99%, spec: 32%). In addition, the negative predictivity increased from 60 to 90%. The considerable reduction in the number of false negative results was due to the detection of "paradoxical" redistribution. The finding indicates that late films must be taken systematically even if the early scintigraphy is normal. Quantitative analysis of DIP scintigraphy was less sensitive and more specific than visual analysis (sens: 82.7%, spec: 68.7%; NVP: 46%). The same was observed when the redistribution films were processed (DIP/REDIS): significantly increased sensitivity and negative predictive value at the cost of a lower specificity (sens: 96%, spec: 41%; NPV: 70%). No significant differences were observed between the type of scintigraphic defect (constant or reversible) and the probability of coronary stenosis (positive predictive value 93 and 86% respectively). "Paradoxical" redistribution corresponded to a pathological situation (PPV: 85%). A correlation was found between the reversible or permanent nature of the hypofixation and left ventricular function. Out of 142 segments showing reversible defects, 112 (79%) had normal or subnormal motion (moderate hypokinesia). Reversibility therefore usually indicated conservation of the viability of post-stenotic zones. Significant wall abnormalities were found in 62% of 140 segments with constant defects, mostly corresponding to infarction; however, in 38% there was no abnormality of wall motion or electrical changes of necrosis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)