Reverse redistribution of thallium-201 heralding the development of myocardial infarction: description of two cases.

Development of a perfusion defect on the 201Tl image from exercise to redistribution is referred to as reverse redistribution, a finding which has been previously associated with several conditions. We describe here two cases in which the reverse-redistribution phenomenon, observed in a routine stress-redistribution thallium-201 scan performed because of chest pain, was considered to be artifactual. Both patients subsequently developed a myocardial infarction in the areas showing the delayed perfusion defect. The potential clinical significance of the reverse-redistribution phenomenon in these two cases is discussed. When observed in patients with typical anginal pain, the reverse redistribution pattern should be considered a potential marker of tissue at risk in a region with previous, otherwise undetected, subendocardial infarction. In such patients the need for coronary angiography should be carefully considered.