Discordance between accumulation of C-14 deoxyglucose and T1–201 in reperfused myocardium

Radiolabeled deoxyglucose (FDG) has been advocated as a marker of viability of reperfused myocardium during acute infarction. However, data for such recommendation are few. We investigated cardiac deposition of C-14 deoxyglucose (C-14 DG) and of Thallium -201 (T1–201) in rabbits subjected to coronary occlusion (15, 30, 60 or > 100 min) and reperfusion (75 min and 24 h). Measured myocardial concentrations of C-14 DG and T1–201 in macroautoradiograms were quantitatively correlated in a 24 h reperfusion group with presence of myocardial necrosis evaluated by light microscopy. The major finding in this investigation was that with 30 min or 60 min of ischemia followed by reperfusion there were myocardial regions with significant hypoperfusion (T1–201) and histologic necrosis. However, in the same myocardial areas, the deposition of C-14 DG was not correlated with the extent of necrosis (r = 0.27). Also, the deposition of C-14 DG in acute myocardial infarction was higher than that of T1–201 (P = 0.05 by paired T test and by nonparametric Wilcoxon's test).