Technetium-99m tetrofosmin: Use for myocardial perfusion imaging in the detection of coronary artery disease

Abstract

Technetium-99m tetrofosmin is a radioactive tracer which is designed for myocardial perfusion imaging. Differential tracer uptake allows discrimination between normal and ischemic myocardium. Technetium-99m tetrofosmin has shown excellent utility as a safe, cost-effective, and technically sound agent for use in the diagnosis of coronary artery disease. This paper provides an overview of the available literature on clinical applications of technetium-99m tetrofosmin, and shows how this tracer has gained widespread acceptance as a diagnostic aid since its inception approximately 17 years ago. The various cardiac imaging modalities and imaging protocols which have employed this agent are also briefly reviewed. © 2010 D'Arceuil, publisher and licensee Dove Medical Press Ltd.