[Non-invasive nuclear medical diagnosis in cardiology. 201T1-myocardial and ECG triggered heart ventricle scintigraphy].

201Thallium scintigraphy serves as a non-invasive method for visualizing regional perfusion, viability and configuration of the myocardium. Serial scans performed after injection during ergometric exercise allow to differentiate between irreversible cell damage, i.e. myocardial infarction or scar, and transient, reversible ischemia in patients with coronary heart disease. ECG-gated blood pool scans are an ideal adjunct as they represent the functional results of the pathologically altered myocardium. This method permits quantitative determination of the enddiastolic volume, endsystolic volume and left ventricular ejection fraction. Furthermore, regional and global wall motion may be judged qualitatively. Results of both methods show an excellent correlation with those obtained by invasive catheterization and cineangiocardiography. The clinical value is based on screening and follow up of a broad variety of cardiac diseases.