Planar imaging of ^99mTc-labeled (bis(N-ethoxy, N-ethyl dithiocarbamato) nitrido technetium(V)) can detect resting ischemia

Background. ^99mTc-labeled (bis(N-ethoxy, N-ethyl dithiocarbamato) nitrido technetium(V)) (^99mTcN-NOET) is a new lipophilic, neutral-charge cardiac perfusion imaging agent that demonstrates apparent redistribution in animal models and humans. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the kinetics of ^99mTcN-NOET are suitable for the detection of resting ischemia. Methods and Results. Microspheres were injected at baseline and simultaneously with ^99mTcN-NOET after a 90% reduction in resting how in the left circumflex coronary artery in six open-chest canine experiments. The relationship of flow and activity early after injection was determined in one experiment by termination at 10 minutes. The flow ratio (left circumflex/left anterior descending coronary artery) after stenosis fell significantly (0.87 ± 0.04 vs 0.46 ± 0.04; p < 0.05). The end-tissue ^99mTc ratio (0.78 ± 0.05) was significantly higher than the flow ratio at injection (0.46 ± 0.04; p < 0.05), indicating substantial redistribution. In vivo imaging was conducted during 2 hours in five experiments, followed by ex vivo imaging. Myocardial clearance from 10 minutes onward was biphasic in left anterior descending and monophasic in left circumflex coronary arteries. Myocardial clearance from 10 to 60 minutes was delayed in left circumflex (35.5% ± 8.1%) versus left anterior descending coronary arteries (49.2% ± 8.6%; p < 0.05). No significant difference was observed from 60- to 120-minute clearance. Five of five experiments demonstrated initial defects and complete fill-in at 90 to 120 minutes by qualitative assessment. Quantitation of ex vivo images confirmed significant redistribution. Conclusions. Resting ischemia caused by moderate to severe stenosis can be detected on scans with ^99mTcN-NOET. Redistribution was near complete in this model by 90 to 120 minutes. ^99mTcN-NOET is a promising new agent for the detection of coronary artery disease in viable myocardium and warrants further investigation.