Detection of myocardial necrosis and inflammation by nuclear cardiac imaging.

For almost two decades, Tc-99m pyrophosphate has been the preferred infarct-avid imaging agent in nuclear cardiology. More recently, Indium-III- and Tc-99m-labeled antimyosin monoclonal antibody imaging have been extensively investigated. Although In-III antimyosin is not yet available in North America, this radioimmunoscintigraphic procedure is very promising for detection of both Q-wave and non-Q-wave myocardial infarction, especially when other standard diagnostic modalities fail to be contributive. When appropriately applied, radionuclide imaging with infarct-avid agents may provide very helpful clinical information.