The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, Vol 54, 249-252, Copyright © 1992 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
Thallium imaging in preoperative evaluation of the pulmonary resection candidate
JI Miller Jr
Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia.
The major determinants of morbidity and mortality after pulmonary resection
are the physiologic status of the cardiac and pulmonary systems. The role
of thallium 201 imaging was reviewed in 151 consecutive patients to
determine its significance in physiologic assessment. 10.3% of patients
were found to have serious asymptomatic coronary artery disease, and
thallium imaging made a difference in the management of 50% of these
patients. When used appropriately, thallium imaging is an important
modality in physiologic assessment of the pulmonary resection candidate.