Radionuclide simultaneous dual-isotope stress myocardial perfusion study using the "three window technique".

Several methods are available for performing radionuclide stress myocardial perfusion studies. All of these methods require two separate acquisition and processing iterations, which is time-consuming and inconvenient for the patient. The authors introduce a new method using the "three window technique" that they developed to perform simultaneous dual-isotope imaging for stress myocardial perfusion studies. In addition to Tl-201 and Tc-99m windows centered at 70 KeV and 140 KeV, respectively, a third window centered at 105 KeV, representing scattered radioactivity from Tc-99m, is established. By subtracting the radioactivity in the third window from the radioactivity in the Tl-201 window, "crosstalk" interference is significantly reduced. The simultaneous dual-isotope imaging method acquires and processes resting and stress myocardial perfusion images simultaneously. It halves imaging time and doubles patient throughput, improves scheduling flexibility, and reduces patient waiting time and discomfort.