Technetium-labeled heparin: preliminary report of a new radiopharmaceutical with potential for imaging damaged coronary arteries and myocardium.

Heparin has been labeled with [99mTc] pertechnetate and its ability to image damaged coronary vessels and myocardium during and following myocardial ischemia has been studied in experimental animals. The data obtained indicate that Tc-99m heparin localizes in damaged myocardium and coronary vessels in canine models of temporary myocardial ischemia and reperfusion and in damaged myocardium during fixed coronary occlusion. Scintigraphic detection of damaged myocardium was possible in both models, but the highest levels of Tc-99m heparin in damaged myocardial tissue were found in those dogs with temporary coronary occlusion and reflow. The data suggest that Tc-99m heparin may be of value as a positive imaging agent when coronary arteries or myocardium are injured and either reperfusion is allowed and/or significant blood flow persists in the damaged area.