Studies were carried out in order to determine the factors influencing myocardial 201T1 uptake. A total of 158 patients was examined with regard to both 201T1 uptake and the assessment of left ventricular and coronary function (e. g. quantitative ventriculography, coronary arteriography, coronary blood flow measurements). Moreover, 42 animal experiments (closed chest cat) were performed. The results demonstrate that:1) 201T1 uptake in the normal and hypertrophied human heart is linearly correlated with the muscle mass of the left ventricle (LVMM);2) 201T1 uptake is enhanced in the inner (subendocardial) layer and is decreased in the outer (subepicardial) layer of the left ventricular wall. The 201T1 uptake of the right ventricle is 40% lower in comparison to the left ventricle;3) the basic correlation between 201T1 uptake and LVMM is influenced by alterations of both myocardial flow and myocardial oxygen consumption; and4) inotropic interventions (isoproterenol, calcium, norepinephrine) as well as coronary dilatation (dipyridamole) may considerably augment 201T1 uptake in accordance with changes in myocardial oxygen consumption and/or myocardial flow.It is concluded that myocardial 201T1 uptake is determined by multiple factors. The major determinants have been shown to include (i) muscle mass, (ii) myocardial flow and (iii) myocardial oxygen consumption. The clinical data obtained from patient groups with normal ventricular function, with coronary artery disease, with left ventricular wall motion abnormalities and with different degree of left ventricular hypertrophy are correlated with quantitated myocardial 201T1 uptake.
Left ventricular puncture during thoracentesis
