Improved computerized quantitation of TI-201 myocardial scintigrams by combining two views.

An improved computerized procedure involving minimal operator intervention has been developed for the automated quantitative evaluation of circumferential profiles of TI-201 myocardial perfusion scintigrams to diagnose coronary artery disease. The optimal criteria for evaluating the profiles of the left anterior oblique and anterior views have been empirically determined for both immediate and delayed scintigrams. Information from both views is combined to determine values for sensitivity and specificity. In this study, 29 patients underwent both TI-201 scintigraphy and contrast coronary angiography. The computerized quantitative procedure to interpret TI-201 scintigrams was tested against the results of coronary angiography. The values of 95% for sensitivity and 100% for specificity compare well with the results of other methods and are free of most of the variables associated with visual interpretation or operator intervention on the computer.