Improved detection of viable myocardium with fluorodeoxyglucose-labeled single-photon emission computed tomography in a patient with hibernating myocardium: Comparison with rest-redistribution thallium 201-labeled single-photon emission computed tomography

Conclusion

The findings presented in this patient support the concept of “hibernation” as first described by Rahimtoola⁵. Coronary revascularization resulted in recovery of both regional perfusion and regional and global ventricular function in this patient that was accompanied by improvement in functional status. At present, many techniques are available for the identification of myocardial viability.⁴ In this case we demonstrated that FDG SPECT was able to identify viability and predict functional recovery after revascularization that was underestimated by rest-redistribution ²⁰¹Tl imaging.

Miller⁶ has recently described discordant results between low-dose dobutamine echocardiography and rest-redistribution ²⁰¹Tl imaging in a patient considered for revascularization in whom ²⁰¹Tl imaging was superior. That report and our case emphasize the need for comparative studies in patients undergoing revascularization to establish the relative merits of the various techniques that are currently available to assess viable myocardium.