RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 In Vivo Detection of Cell Death in the Area at Risk in Acute Myocardial Infarction JF Journal of Nuclear Medicine JO J Nucl Med FD Society of Nuclear Medicine SP 391 OP 396 VO 44 IS 3 A1 Paul W.L. Thimister A1 Leo Hofstra A1 Ing Han Liem A1 Hendrikus H. Boersma A1 Gerrit Kemerink A1 Chris P.M. Reutelingsperger A1 Guido A.K. Heidendal YR 2003 UL http://jnm.snmjournals.org/content/44/3/391.abstract AB Annexin A5 is a phospholipid binding protein with high affinity for phosphatidyl-serine, which is externalized by cells undergoing programmed cell death. An increased programmed cell death rate has been reported in the heart after myocardial infarction (MI). The aim of this study was to correctly localize annexin A5 uptake in vivo and to determine the area at risk in humans with acute MI. Methods: Nine patients were studied. Before reperfusion was achieved, 99mTc-sestamibi was injected intravenously. Myocardial 99mTc-sestamibi perfusion scintigraphy was performed after reperfusion. Thereafter, 99mTc-labeled annexin A5 was administered intravenously, followed by scintigraphic imaging of the heart. Myocardial 99mTc-sestamibi scintigraphy was repeated 1–3 wk after the MI onset. 99mTc-Annexin uptake was also studied in the subacute phase of the MI in 2 patients. Results: All patients clearly showed perfusion defects on 99mTc-sestamibi scintigraphy in concordance with the infarct location. Furthermore, all patients showed accumulation of 99mTc-annexin A5 at the infarct site, indicating that cardiomyocytes with externalized phosphatidyl-serine are present in the infarct area. 99mTc-sestamibi defects determined 1–3 wk after the MI onset were significantly smaller than the defects in the acute phase. 99mTc-annexin uptake was absent in the 2 patients studied in the subacute phase. Conclusion: In acute MI, an increase of programmed cell death can be correctly localized in vivo in the area at risk. Furthermore, the decrease in 99mTc-sestamibi defect size in the subacute phase of the MI further suggests that in parts of the area at risk, reversible myocardial damage rather than necrosis is present in cardiomyocytes.